





o » S ^ V 

lis* v^ ^ o'k/JCv^* V "^ ° 

7!T^ v'^ <^ '°''"' A<^ ^^ v7*^^, A <*.'<>.*'» ,G^ 



u^ 













<^1°. 








.-^o 






-^^^^^ 
















<N 




A 



'>.' 






,V" "J^, 



"°. 






A 



'h 



<>'^ ^y. 



O ■f , o S * .A- O . » <» 



.V 



'bV 



V 






C 



0^ 



,jo o,> 







^\' 



\^' 



W: .v'^' 



'^ 



Ao^ 











r.s- A 



<' 




'^ 



-^^^ 




















.'i' 









. X - .(■ 




HISTORY 

OF 

EDGEFIELD COUNTY ^ 

FROM THE EARLIESTSETTLEMENTS 

TO 



1897 



BIOGRAPHIC AI, AND ANECDOTICAL; WITH SKETCHES OF THE 
SEMINOI.E WAR; NULLIFICATION; SECESSION; RECON- 
STRUCTION; CHURCHES AND LITERATURE; WITH ROLLS 
OF ALL THE COMPANIES FROM EDGEFIELD IN 
THE WAR OF SECESSION; WAR WITH MEX- 
ICO AND WITH THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. 

BY 

JOHN A. CHAPMAN, A. M., 

Author of SECOND part of annates of NEWBERRV; SCHOOL HISTORY 
OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ETC. 



NEWBERRY, S. C. 
elbert h. aull, publisher and printer. 

i8q7. 



Entered accordiug to Act of Congress in the year 1S97 

By JOHN A. CHAPMAN, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, 

At Washington, D. C. 






INTRODUCTION. 



The author of this book is a native of Edgefield District, 
born before it was shorn of its fair proportions, as it was in 
1817, before a part was cut off to form the County of Aiken, 
and long before it was further divided to form Saluda Count}-. 
He was born within three miles of Saluda River on the old 
Charleston and Ninety-Six Road, which, in Revolutionary 
times, was one of the main highways leading from the low 
country and the Congarees to Ninety-Six. The place is now 
in Saluda County. 

From his boyhood the author was a great reader and student 
of history. Nothing pleased him better than to get hold of 
some good book telling of the deeds of other times, and stories 
of Marion and his men, and others of that heroic age. Unfor- 
tunatel}^ books that told the histor}^ of that period were too 
few; but he had Weems' I^ife of Washington and of Marion, and 
a book of American Biographies published in 1830, all of which 
were well suited to cultivate a taste for history and make the 
reader long for more. 

With such a training in early life it is not surprising that, as 
he grew older, he read everything that could throw light upon 
the early history of his State and the formation of the Union 
and the rights and duties of the States in the Union. 
In writing this book he has faithfully sought and drawn from 
every source of information a\'ailable. All books, of which he 
could get hold, giving information of the first settlers and their 
struggles, he has used; and individuals and friends in all parts 
of the Counties of Edgefield and Saluda, and some outside, 
have freely and gladl}- helped him in his work. To these, one 
and all, he gives his grateful and heartfelt thanks. One dear 
'riend, who loaned him many old books, and who assisted him 
greatly other\vise, has only recently, 1S96, left this stage < 
life for a better, William G. Whilden. 



Mei: of Edgefield and Saluda, and you children of Edgefield 
elsewhere, the author has done his best. This book now be- 
longs to you and to your posterity; and the author cannot per- 
mit himself to believe that you will turn coldl}' from it because 
you ma}^ think that it has some errors and defects. Of one 
truth you may be sure, that it is absolutely impartial in its 
treatment of men and their deeds. Can you desire more? 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



I. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT. 

Before the year 1785, Edgefield County was a part of Ninety- 
Six District, which then included a very extensive territory in 
the upper part of the State. By the Act of the I^egislature of 
that 3^ear, March 12, 17S5, Ninety-Six was divided into the 
Counties, afterwards called Districts, of Edgefield, Abbeville, 
Newberry, Laurens, Union, and Spartanburg. Augusta, as 
we shall see, was founded in the year 1736, and a very active 
and important trading post had been in existence already for 
some years at the place on the Savannah where Hamburg was 
afterwards built. Previous to its occupation by white people 
the greater part of the territory was in the possession of t^^- 
numerous and war-like tribe of Indians, known as the Chero- 
kees. The Southern part, lying on the Savannah River, was 
used by other tribes. Savannah, Creek, &c, as hunting 
grounds. Of these Indians, their habits, manners, customs, 
and traditions, it is not necessary at this time, to write, as our 
purpose is to give a history of Edgefield as it has been since its 
occupancy by Europeans and their descendants. 

ROVING TRADERS. 

For many years before there was any permanent settlement 
the whole upper country was traversed by roving traders, who 
bought skins and furs from the natives and made large profits 
by the trade. Beavers, buffaloes, bears, and other animals, 
whose skins were very valuable, as well as wolves, catamounts, 
and wild cats, were quite as plentiful as squirrels and rabbits 
are now. There were also many wild deer, and at one time 
the exportation of skins from the State, or colony, ran up as 
high as to two hundred and fifty thousand a year. As far 
back as the year 1690, some time before the English settlers 
on the Ashley knew that there was such a people in existence 
as the Cherokees, a man named Daugherty, a trader from Vir- 
ginia, lived amongst them for purposes of traffic. From his 



6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

time many adventurers, in search of trade and fortune, fre- 
quented all the towns and war-paths of the nation. This 
trade, for some years, was very profitable, for the Indians 
knew little or nothing of the value of their goods, and for a' 
few showy trinkets, and gems of small value, the trader on the 
Savannah, or the Catawba, could procure peltries which he 
could sell in Charleston for many times their cost. 

One of the first settlers of the upper country, Anthony Park, 
who lived to a verj^ advanced age in the adjoining County of 
Newberry, travelled in 1758, several hundred miles among 
the Indians to the west of the Alleghany Mountains. And 
even then he found several white men who said they had lived 
among the natives as traders twenty years; some forty or lift}-, 
and one as many as sixty years. One of these traders had up- 
wards of sevent}^ decendants then living in the nation. These 
traders were mostly Scotch or Irish. These men, however, 
were not settlers, in the proper sense of the word, although 
they had lived for so many years in the nation. They were 
onlj' transient persons; pioneers of the true settlers, living in 
the wilderness for the purpose of traffic, — a love of adventure, 
and a desire to be rid of the restraints of civilized life. The 
territory of Kdgefield was traversed, time and again, by these 
adventurers, as it lay in the direct line of route from Charles- 
ton and the Edistos to the rich, game-abounding country about 
Ninety-Six and the country above. 

From the best information obtainable, we find that the ear- 
liest permanent settlements within the limits of Edgefield 
County were made about the year 1748. Ninety-Six was set- 
tled about that time. In May, 1750, a party of Monangahela 
Indians, led by a Cherokee guide, passed down the Savannah 
to attack the Euchees, who were friends of the English. These 
Euchees lived about two miles below Silver Bluff. The Mo- 
nongahelas were defeated and fled, the Euchees pursuing. 
The 3^ passed through the pine woods about ten miles from 
where Hamburg now is, moving in a direct line for the then 
weak settlement of Ninety-Six. The pursuit was so close that 
the fleeing Indians were compelled to throw away their guns, 
blankets, and plunder. They avoided Ninety-Six and did not 
stop running until they reached the Cherokee towns. We find 
that one year later, May 7, 1751, Mrs. Mary Gould, called by 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 7 

Captain John Fairchild Mrs. Cloud, living on lyittle Saluda 
River, was severely wounded by two Savannah Indians, who 
killed her husband and children and a young man who was 
sleeping on the floor. These murders were committed treach- 
erously, the savages having entered the house in a peaceable 
manner and having been kindly entertained by Gould and his 
wife. Several distressed families in that neighborhood then 
deserted their homes and retreated down the country to the 
Congarees to avoid the Indians. In August of the same year 
Capt. Fairchild informed the Governor, James Glen, that he 
had ranged with his company as high up as Ninety-Six, and 
had built near that place a fort of puncheon logs for the pro- 
tection of the people of that settlement. That fort was built 
on the north banks of John's Creek, where a flourishing civil- 
ized settlement was founded cotemporaneous with the first ever 
planted in any part of Ninety-Six District. 

In May, 1751, Captain Francis, of Ninety-Six, urged upon 
Governor Glen to take into consideration the dangers to which 
the people there and on the Saluda were exposed from the in- 
cursions of the Northern Indians and the French. In July of 
the same year Captain Francis again wTote to the Governor, 
urging the necessity of building a fort, and of sending up a 
company of Rangers for the protection of the people. The 
fort w'as built in August by Captain Fairchild. At this time 
the Indians were committing considerable depradations. In- 
deed, from 1749, soon after the first permanent settlements 
were made in the District, to the close of Col. Grant's cam- 
paign in 1 761, there was not a family in all this part of Caro- 
lina that was not exposed to serious danger from the inroads 
and attacks of the savages. 

In the summer of 1753, Gov. Glen invited all the leading 
men of the nation to meet him in Charleston and hold a gen- 
eral conference for the settlement of difficulties. At this time 
some Savannah Indians were held as prisoners by the Governor 
for depradations committed on the whites, and Little Carpen- 
ter, a leading Chief of the Cherokees, said although he did not 
defend the Savannahs, yet, "if they are punished the path 
will be made bloody, and no white man will be able to come to 
our country." "You," he says to the Governor, "and those 
about you will be safe; but many a straggling white man will 



8 HISTORY OF EEGEFIELD. 

lose his life." The conference was long and closed apparently 
all right, as there were expressions of good will from both 
sides. But the good will was more apparent than real. A 
trader, named McDaniel, who had come down with the Chiefs^ 
refused to return with them, because, he .said, "it would be 
certain death for any trader to do so while the Savannahs were 
held as prisoners." We hear of these Indians again before 
they reach the end of their journey. They returned by the 
pathway, or trail, that led to the Congarees and to Saluda Old 
Town. On the Little Saluda lived Stephen Holston. His 
home was not far from the trail. By the time the Indians had 
reached the Little Saluda they had run short of provisions. 
The escort of ten soldiers, sent by the Governor, had left them 
at the Congarees, and there was no white man with them ex- 
cept perhaps the trader Butler, w^ho had long been in their coun- 
try. The Indians, forty in all, stopped at Holston's, surrounded 
the house and demanded a supply of provisions. Holston, 
himself, was absent, but Mrs. Holston readily supplied their 
wants, but in .spite of her kindness they continued to show a 
restless dissatisfaction which it was impossible for her to 
appease. When night came on two of them insisted upon 
being permitted to sleep upon the floor of the house. This, 
after some hesitation, she permitted. About midnight, when 
.she and her servants were fast asleep, those outside surrounded 
the house, and the two, who had been lying on the floor, 
opened the doors, and the whole party rushed in, whooping 
and yelling and firing off their guns. Mrs. Holston was ter- 
ribly frightened, and finding that they were about to force 
open the door of her room, she seized her baby, jumped from 
the window to the ground and ran. She did not cease running 
until she came to the house of a neighbor several miles distant. 
The Indians did not pursue her, as they were not in a very 
blood-thirsty humor, but only sullen and discontented. They 
contented themselves with robbing the house of all the pevv^ter 
plates and dishes, tea cups and a kettle. They took also thirty 
bu.shels of corn, and two valuable mares from the stables. 
When Holston returned home he found his property gone 
beyond hope of recovery. He laid his complaint before the 
Governor and petitioned for indemnity; but whether liis peti- 
tion was ever granted does not appear. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. i 

The reader will notice that amongst Mrs. Holston's losses 
mention is made of pewter plates and dishes. There are not a 
great many persons now living in Kdgefield whose meniorj' 
goes far enough back to remember when pevvter plates and 
dishes were displaced by the introduction of delph ware. But 
it has not been so very long; nor has it been so very long since 
the old fashioned flax wheel and distaff were in common use. 
The present writer remembers sitting at table and eating <»ff 
pewter plates, many and many times; and the heavy pe\>ier 
dishes, or bowls, or basins, in which food was placed upon iht 
table. All were thick and heavy. I remember also seeii' . 
strolling manufacturer, with molds, who made thin light plates 
and dishes. These, however, were not nearly so good and durable 
as the old fashioned thick and heavy ones, though they we-e 
much nicer to look upon. When delph ware first came Ii-'to 
use I found it exceedingl}^ difficult to hold my fork to its place 
whenever I tried to cut a piece of meat on my plate. It would 
slip and run away. With a pewter plate there was no such 
trouble. The fork had firm holding ground as I could always 
make one, or both its tines, stick into the metal of the plate 
deep enough to hold. I have betrayed myself again — forks 
had only two prongs then. The}^ w-ere not split spoons, nor 
as well adapted to carrrying food to the mouth as those in use 
to-da3\ 

BUILDING FORT KEOWEE. 

A fort on the borders of the nation, or in the n^'tion, had 
long been desired by the traders and settlers, and even by some 
of the best disposed Indians themselves. As early, even, as 
1734, the importance of such a fort had been recognized in 
Charleston; but its erection had been put off, from time to 
time. And tht colonists, instead of building the fort them- 
selves, had petitioned the Parliament of Great Britian to 
build it. After years of dela}^ the province was compelled to 
do the work at its own expense, and the Council directed that 
land be purchased from the Indians, and that the fort be 
erected as near as possible to the Indian town of Keowee. Ac- 
cordingly Governor Glen, in the fall of 1753, visited the country 
of the lyower Cherokees, bought a quantity of land, and built the 
fort at Kect)wee. It was claimed that by this purchase the En- 
glish acquired thf territory now embraced in the Districts of 



lO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens, Union, Spartanburg, New- 
berry, Chester, Fairfield, Richland, and York. Whether this 
claim is just or not, it is certainly true that from this time the 
settlements began rapidly to extend. But be this as it may, 
the building of the fort, which was called Fort Prince George, 
purchased only a brief peace for the nation and short-lived 
confidence on the border. Massacres soon began again, and 
the savages were as restless and annoying as before. 

CONFERENCE AT SALUDA OLD TOWN. 

Governor Glen again invited the Chiefs to meet him in con- 
ference in Charlestown. They refused to go to Charlestown, 
basing their refusal, they said, on the fear of the fatal sickness 
which they had before contracted there, and which they might 
again contract. They agreed, however, to meet at some place 
between the nation and Charlestown. The meeting took place 
at Saluda Old Towai in the summer of 1755. 

Of what was actually done at this conference we know but 
little; but an enthusiastic admirer of the Governor, a man 
named Moses Thompson, waiting to him in January, 1756, 
says: "I cannot forget my impressions of your paternal care of 
South Carolina since you came among us. First, your journe}' 
to Ninety-Six, to settle a peace with the Cherokees; and thence 
to Savannah to make peace wath the Creeks. Second, yovir 
long journey to the Cherokee Nation to build a fort. Third, 
your journey to Saluda, in the heat of summer, to settle a 
seco'^d peace with the Cherokees in troublous times; which act 
crowns all the rest ; for I verily believe there never was such a 
firm peace made with any Indians before, and all resulting in 
the advancement of the indigo manufacture. And likewise 
your great care of our back-settlers; for when I was Major 
under your Excellency; I cannot forget your care by 3^our in- 
structions to me on several occasions; besides your private 
letters to me to inform your Excellency of any event, that 
proper steps might be taken for our safety. I think your suc- 
cessor will have nothing to do but to walk in your footsteps; 
for you have paved the plainest road that can be taken, which, 
I think, will keep your memory in the minds of the people 
when you are dead and gone. ' ' 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. II 

11. 

SETTLERS OF VARIOUS NATIONALITIES. 

Edgefield, like other parts of the middle sections of the State, 
was settled by people representing the various nationalities of 
Europe — English, Scotch, Irish, Welch, German, Dutch, and 
French — English predominating so greatly as to make the 
English language the language of the countrj^; though several 
others are spoken in the United States in different sections and 
are the every day language of the people, especially German, 
Swedish, and French. Eike other parts of the upper country, 
Edgefield received many settlers from the North, from Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and also 
perhaps some few from colonies farther North. Some also 
came from Georgia, as in the early days of that Colony, there 
were laws prohibiting the sale and use of rum and other ardent 
spirits, and also the introduction of African slaves. Many 
Georgia settlers, not liking these laws, moved over into Caro- 
lina where the use of both was allowed. No matter from what 
region they came, nor of what nationality, they were a hardy, 
brave, energetic, industrious, adventurous set of men, such 
as pioneers must always be. 

CULBREATHS, HAZELS, &C. 

Among the earliest settlers on the Saluda side of Edgefield, 
was a Scotch family, or perhaps there were several families, 
who settled in the year 1756 about four miles south of where 
Chappell's Ferry now is, and near where afterwards was or- 
ganized and built by them the Baptist Church of Chestnut 
Hill. This church, by the way, was named Chestnut Hill 
because it was built on a hill-side near where grew many chest- 
nut trees, some verj'' large. This growth was found nowhere 
else in the neighborhood. This settlement was called Scot- 
land, and is still known and recognized by that name by some 
of the older citizens, though the descendants of the Culbreaths, 
the original settlers, are no longer there. Joseph Culbreath 
was born in Scotland, near Plymouth, in 1747, and was brought 
over to Edgefield by his father, Edward Culbreath, who settled 
there in 1756. Edward Culbreath, the father, lived only one 
year after coming to this country", dying in 1757. He left four 
sons surviving him, Joseph, John, Daniel, and Edward. These 



12 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

all lived to be over seventy years of age. Luke Ciilbreath, the 
grandson of Joseph (his father was John whom I remember 
well), was eighty-four years of age in Maj^ 1891, and has lived 
sixty-two 3^ears at his present home near Pleasant Lane, ten 
miles north of Edgefield C. H. There w^ere once many Cul- 
breaths in "Scotland," but now there are none in that region 
of country and the name is almost extinct in Edgefield. James 
Y. Culbreath is a lawyer at Newberry. He is a direct de- 
scendant of Edward Culbreath, the founder of the colony at 
"Scotland." His father was William, a brother to Luke 
Culbreath, above mentioned. 

There was a family named Hazel, Scotch also, who came 
with Edward Culbreath to seek new homes in a new world. 
The head of the family was Harry Hazel. Some of that fam- 
ily are still living in that part of the country not far from the 
original place of settlement. 

Passing down Saluda, not far from "Scotland," and near 
Saluda Old Town, is an old settlement, now owned, that is 
part of it, by Johnson Hagood, and is cultivated as a grass 
farm, that is, the low grounds bordering on the river. The 
other part, which includes the original homestead, is owned 
b}^ J. Y. Culbreath, and others, of Newberr}-. It was here at 
this old homestead where Capt. William Butler, of the Revo- 
lution, found his wife, Behethland Foote Moore. This place 
was settled a few years after the settlement at "Scotland," by 
Mr. Savage from Virginia, who had married the widow Moore, 
the mother of several children, William, George, and Beheth- 
land. 

ABNEYS, &C. 

A little out from Saluda, and a mile or two below "Scot- 
land," and on the old Ninety-Six Road, we find that land was 
granted to William Abn^y, February 14th, 1772, sixteen years 
after the Culbreaths cams. William Abney settled and lived 
upon the land thus granted until his death. Some of his de- 
scendants, at least some of the Abneys, lived upon the place 
in the old house as long as it was a homestead — not a great 
many years since. William Abney was the ancestor of John 
R. Abney, a lawyer now living in New York City, and of Ben 
Abney, elected to the State Legislature from Richland County. 



HISTORY OF EDGEI'IELD. 1 3 

His borne is in Columbia. He also is a lawyer. Near William 
Abney settled Samuel Abney, a brotber, I tbiiik, to wbom land 
was granted February igtb, 1772. Michael Abney was in the 
same neighborhood. Land was granted to him October 3rd , 1 7 7 1 . 
Lower down Saluda, just below Higgins' Ferry and lying on 
the river, land was granted to Dannett Abne}', June 14th, 1768. 
From him descended O. L. Schumpert, Esq., sometime mem- 
ber of the Legislature, afterw^ards Solicitor of the Circuit in 
which he resides. His home is at Newberry. Dannett Abney 
met with a tragic fate during the Revolutionary war. He was 
butchered in his wife's arms b}- Cunningham and his men in 
that celebrated raid of 17S1, the sole object of which seemed 
murderous revenge. To Nathaniel Abney on the river, lying 
just above and adjoining Dannett's, on both sides of the road 
leading to the ferry, lands were granted October 5th, 1763, 
and September 20th, 1766. 

These Abneys all came from Virginia to this State. The 
family is Norman-English, Norman-French. The name was 
originally D'Aubigne, and was changed to the present form 
four or five hundred years ago — about the middle of the fif- 
teenth century. 

Isabella Madison, the wife of Nathaniel Abney, was a great and 
wise woman, ruling her household of children and servants with 
a firm but gentle hand, wisely and well. Twelve children were 
the fruit of this union. Their youngest son, Azariah Abney, 
lived and died on the original homestead, and it is still in the 
family, owned in 1891 by Joel Abney, a grandson of Azariah. 
Dr. M. W. Abney, of Edgefield, was descended from this pair 
through liis mother, Martha Wills, who was a granddaughter 
of Nathaniel Abney. Isabella Abney Boykin, daughter of Dr. 
M. W. Abney — died in 18S9 — was as queenly and wise as her 
great ancestress. 

Nathaniel Abney was capt?in of a militia company under 
Major Andrew Williamson at Ninety-Six, November 15th, 
177.5, but what part he took after the war was fairly begun, 
and after the Declaration of Independence, does not appear. 
But he was on the side of Independence. 

These Abneys all obtained grants of land before the Revo- 
lutionary war; but there were several others, not yet mentioned, 
to whom lands were granted after the war. John Abney, Febru- 



14 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

arj' 5th, 1798; Paul Abney, February 5th, 1798; Samuel Ab- 

iiey, January 7th, 1811. As large as this family was at the 

beginniug of the century, and for some years afterwards, there 

are but few persons who now bear the name in Edgefield 

County. I should have mentioned just above, that the Rev. 

Mark Abney, so well known at Edgefield and in the county; 

the good, the pious Christian and useful Baptist preacher, was 

also a descendant, a grandson, of Nathaniel Abney and Isabella 

Madison. 

TOWLSES, CARSONS, &C. 

The Towleses, very active and brave Whigs, were, I think, 
settlers about the year 1760 above "vScotland," in the Half 
Way Swamp country. Between them and Ned Turner, in 
fact between them and almost all Tories, burned the fire of 
implacable hatred. The Chappells were also in the same 
neighborhood. About Saluda Old Town were the Carsons, 
brave and true Whigs. Old Mr. James Carson used to tell an 
anecdote of one of the family, his father, I think, very much 
like one related by Kennedy of his hero in the story of Horse 
Shoe Robinson. He said that one day riding alone he 
stopped his horse at a small creek, or stream of running water, 
to let him drink. While his horse was drinking, Mr. Carson, 
not dreaming of danger so near, naturally let his head fall for- 
ward in a tho^^ghtful, meditative manner. When the horse 
was through drinking and raised his head to go forward the 
road was found to be full of Tories, read}^ and waiting and 
completely blocking the way. Mr. Carson's first impulse was 
to turn and flee the way he had come, but, glancing back- 
wards, he found the road barred in his rear also. Without a 
moment's hesitation he rode forward, extended his hand to 
the leader of the band and said that he was ver}^ glad to meet 
them; that he had given up the Whig cause as a failure and 
had concluded to take the other side. He affiliated with them 
and so entirely disarmed their suspicions that they soon ceased 
to watch him closely and in a little while he made his escape. 

I do not know the exact time when many of these settlers, 
Carsons, Towleses, Butlers (not Gen. Butler's family), Scurrys, 
Andersons, and others, not far from Saluda, Scotland, and the 
Island Ford, came into the country; but it was from 1756 to 
1766, during which period the great wave of immigration 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 15 

rolled down South from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North 
Carolina into South Carolina; when sometimes the number 
amounted to as many as a thousand families a year, with all 
their movables and horses and cattle. 

FERRIES— SALUDA. 

In the 3'ear 1770, a ferry was established at Saluda Old 
Town, from the lands of Charles Carson on the south side of 
Saluda, to the opposite shore at the lands of William Turner. 
The ferry was vested in Charles Carson, his Executors, Ad- 
ministrators, and Assigns. By the same Act a road was or- 
dered to be made and laid out from the south side of the ferry 
to the nearest and most contiguous part of the road latel}' laid 
out and established b}' the name of Kelly's Road. 

Anderson's Ferry over Saluda was established December 19th, 
1795. This, I believe, is the same as the Island Ford Ferry. 
At Abnej^'s Ford and vested in Nathaniel Abney and Francis 
Higgins, December 19th, 1 795. After some years this ferry was 
rechartered and vested in Francis Higgins alone, and I believe 
it is still known as Higgins' Ferry, though sometimes called 
Kinard's. 

There was a ferry at Chappell's before the Revolutionary 
war — kept by the Chappells. On December 21st, 1792, a 
bridge was authorized to be built by Thom j Chappell, in 
whom the right of taking tolls was vested. I do not think the 
bridge was ever built, as a ferry at that place was rechartered, 
December 20th, 1800. And again in 1821, and vested in Cha.los 
Chapman. But in a few years it became Chappell's Ferry, 
which name it held for many years. Recently a bridge has 
been built, which is to be free. About the year 1845, Mr, 
John Chappell built a single span covered bridge at that place. 
The investment was not profitable and the bridge before many 
years washed away, and the ferry was reopened. 

Previous to the year 1765, the Government of South Caro- 
lina had given the upper countrj' very little attention, little 
more, indeed, than was found necessary to regulate trade with 
the Indians. The Governor and Council could do little more. 
In 1765 an Act was passed to establish a ferry from New 
Windsor to Augusta. New Windsor was where Hamburg 
now is. The place must have been named New Windsor by 



1 6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI.D. 

John Stnart, Agent for Indian Affairs, as the ferr}- was vested 
in him. 

By the same Act a ferry was established from the ierry of 
Moses Kirkland to the opposite shore on Salndy River — "Sa- 
ludy", so spelled in the old printed Act. This same Moses 
Kirkland became somewhat celebrated in after years as Agent 
of the British and Tories, acting in concert with John vStuart 
in rousing the Cherokees to attack the border settlements at 
the same time the attack on Fort Moultrie was made. 

By the Act of 1768 a road was established from Orangeburg 
to Saluda and thence to Bush and Rayburn's Creeks — and also 
for making and establishing a public ferry over Saludy River, 
and vesting the same in Samuel Kell}- and John Millhouse. 
The road thus ordered to be made from Orangeburg to Saluda 
is surely the same known as Kelly's Road, with which the 
road leading from Carson's Ferry at Saluda Old Town was to 
join at the most contiguous part. 

Again in 1770 a ferry was established over Saluda River at 
the lands of Robert Cunningham — and another ferry over Sa- 
vannah River, opposite to Augusta in Georgia. 

The reader will notice that these roads and ferries were all 
made and established before the Revolutionary war. Others 
were opened soon after the war, notice of which will be made. 
STE"WART SETTLEMENT. 

Just below Dannett Abnej^'s, on Saluda River, was the 
Stewart settlement, notorious in local annals for devoted at- 
tnc'iment to the Royfd cause diiring the Revolution, and for 
their warm personal friendship for Ned Turner and Bill Cun- 
ningham. Their homestead was at or near the mouth of 
Tosty Creek, a small stream emptying into the Saluda, and 
called Tosty, or Tosta, by the natives. This settlement began 
as early as 1760, or about that time. 

Mr. John Stuart, of New Windsor, on the Savannah River 
(whether connected with the Stewarts above named I do not 
know), was an officer of the Crown, wholly devoted to the 
Royal interest, and to him, for .some 3-ears prev.'ous to the be- 
ginning of the war, had been committed the management of 
Indian affairs in upper Carolina. Under these circumstances 
he felt bound to exert his influence to attach the Indians to 
the Ro3^al interest. Very early in the contest he retired to 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 7 

West Florida, and from that province employed his brother 
Henry, a Mr. Cameron, and some others, to penetrate into the 
Cherokee country. A plan was settled by him in concert 
with the King's Governors, and other Royal servants, to land 
a British army in West Florida, to proceed with it to the 
Western frontiers, and from there, in concert with the Tories 
and Indians, to fall on the friends of the Revolution at the 
same time the attack should be made on the sea coast. Moses 
Kirkland was employed to proceed to Boston to concert with 
Gen. Gage, who then commanded there, the necessary means 
for accomplishing this design. The plan failed b}' the capture 
of Kirkland and the ship which was conveying him to Boston. 
The affair had made such progress, however, that the Chero- 
kees began their massacres two days after the British fleet 
made the attack on Sullivan's Island. Of that w-ar with the 
Cherokees, and of the part Edgefield people bore in it, some- 
thing more will be said after awhile. 

I introduced Mr. John Stuart here, under the impression 
that he might possibly be connected with the Stewarts of 
Tosty Creek, as they, too, were devoted friends to the Royal 
cause. In my boyhood I knew Alexander Stewart well. His 
home was at the old family homestead near the Saluda, where 
the family first settled. I have frequently heard it said that 
he kept and cherished fondly, as a precious memento of olden 
times, a British officer's old red coat, and epaulettes, which had 
been worn by an ancestor, or kinsman, in the Revolutionary 
war. I never saw these things, but I have no doubt of the 
truth of the facts stated. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI,D. 



III. 

PERRYS, COLEMANS, TROTTERS, &C. 

There were other early settlers in that part of Edgefield 
bordering on Big Saluda and Persimmon Creek, not yet men- 
tioned. These were the Perrys, Colemans, Trotters, Berrys, 
Nunns, Summerses, Rileys, and McCartys, to say nothing as 
yet of the Brookses^ 

As the settlements in Abbeville began about the same time 
with those on the Saluda side of Edgefield, we will make a 
little excursion into that county. Both counties being parts 
of the original District of Ninety-Six their histories are neces- 
sarily very intimately connected. In the year 1756, the same 
3'ear in which the Culbreaths came to "Scotland," Patrick 
Calhoun, with four families of his friends, settled on Long 
Cane in Abbeville. Before he came there were only two fam- 
ilies, one named Gowdy, the other Edwards, in that extremity 
of the country. After 1763 the population increased rapidl3% 

INCONVENIENCES OF THE SETTLERS. 

At this period of time the settlers in all parts of Ninety-Six 
District labored under ver}^ great inconveniences in regard to 
the administration of justice. Some of the new comers were 
not law-abiding, but quite the contrary'. Some men were 
without families — mere adventurers, who had thrown off the 
restraints of civilized life, and felt as though they were 
amenable to no law except their own wills. 

During the war with the Cherokees, which broke out in 
1759, several settlements were broken up and property of 
various kinds was abandoned. After this war was over the 
evils generated therebj' continued for some time. There were 
no courts for the trial of violators of law held outside of 
Charleston until the year 1770. The only legal authority in 
all Ninety-Six District was that of Justice of the Peace ap- 
pointed by the Governor. In this unpleasant condition of 
affairs it is no wonder that well-disposed citizens were moved 
to take the administration of law and justice into their own 
hands. And this, although altogether justifiable at first, in- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 9 

variably leads to abuses. In this emergency arose the Society 
known as Regulators. These Regulators, in the year lyb^, 
under the leadership of some of the best men in Ninety-Six 
District, such as Thomas Woodward, Joseph Kirkland, and 
Barnaby Pope, organized themselves and signed an instrument 
of writing in which they bound themselves to make common 
cause in pursuing and arresting all horse thieves and other 
criminals. Horse stealing was a very common offeuce; and 
the offenders when caught were tried by the Regulators 
and, if found guilty, were punished, by whipping on the bare 
back, with many or few stripes, according «to the number of 
their misdeeds. These provoked the horse thieves and their 
friends to lake active measures to counteract the proceedings 
of the Regulators. Nearl}^ all the inhabitants of the District 
took part on one side or the other. Those opposed to the 
measures of the Regulators made such representations to lyOrd 
Charles Montague, then Governor, that he took measures for 
their suppression. With this end in view he conferred a high 
commission on a man named Scovill, a man whom his neigh- 
bors, especially the Regulators, thought very unfit for the 
office. As though the District were in a ^tate of rebellion, he 
erected the Royal standard and called upon the Regulators to 
submit. He arrested two of them and sent them to Charles- 
town, where they were imprisoned. The parties formed op- 
posing camps prepared for war, but each one hesitated to begin 
the fray. They finally agreed to break up camp, go home, 
and that each party petition the Governor for redress of 
grievances. This was done, and the result was the passing of 
the Circuit Court law, which established Courts at Ninety-Six, 
Orangeburg, and Camden. A sullen peace was made, but the 
ill feeling between the parties did not die out. A few years 
afterwards, when the troubles with the mother country began, 
the Scovillites became Tories and the Regulators and their 
friends W^higs. 

CHANGES IN THE NAMES OF PLACES. 

It is curious to note the changes that have taken place in 
the names of some places since the country was first occupied 
by the whites. Hamburg was originally Savannah Town, 
taking its name from the native Savannahs. It w'as an im- 



20 1 HISTORY OF F^DGRFIEI^D. 

portaut trading statiou, and about the year 1730 Fort Moore 
was erected near it for its better protection. After that period 
the place was usuall}^ referred to as Fort Moore. In the year 
1747, a ferry over the Savannah River was established at the 
garrison of Fort Moore in New Windsor — rechartered, as al- 
ready mentioned, in 1765, from New Windsor to Augusta, Ga. 
For some years Savannah Town, or Fort Moore, was a very 
important trading station, the Indians, themselves, cutting a 
trail from their upper towns down the east bank of the Savan- 
nah to that place. After Augusta was founded in 1736, the 
trade was drawn off; Savannah Town was deserted, and Au- 
gusta soon became a large town, with many houses and people, 
and a busy trading mart. This city is the first example on 
the Continent of the rapid growth of a Western village into a 
populous town. 

Many years afterwards an enterprising Hollander, named 
Shultz, of whom a sketch will be given further on, built 
the city of Hamburg as a rival to Augusta. For a long 
time it was an active busy place doing a large trade. It was 
the terminus of the South Carolina Rail Road, which con- 
nected it with Charleston. At the time of its completion this 
was the longest rail road in the world. Hamburg was a for- 
midable rival to Augusta, but its glory has long since de- 
parted. Some time during the year 1862, or 1863, I rode 
through it with a friend in a buggy, and it was then the most 
lonely, desolate looking place I had ever seen. What it is 
now I know not. I have never 'seen it since, except from the 
windows of the rail road coach as I passed down the road. 
Hamburg died, but Augusta still grows and has never faltered 
aor halted on its v»'ay of progress from the year of its founding 
until now. 

OPENING OF PUBLIC ROAD. 

In the year 1770 a public road was opened and established 
from Orangeburg Bridge to Indian Head; one from Indian 
Head to the road which leads from the Ridge to Augusta; one 
from tiie Ridge Road to L,ong Cane Creek; one from Long 
Cane to Great Rocky Creek; one from Great Rocky Creek to 
Mountain Creek, near Coffee Town; and one from Robert 
Goudy's at Ninety-Six to the Ridge, and from thence to tl 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. • 21 

road that leads from Indian Head to Ivong Cane. The student 
of Edgefield history will see from the establishment of these 
roads, and also of the ferries across the Saluda and Savannah 
Rivers, that the progress of the settlements and the increase 
of population was quite rapid. Twenty years had made a 
wonderful change. But the same rapid evolution of life has 
been going on without cessation from that day to this. -I re- 
member when Chicago was a village in a marsh. I remember 
Fremont's expedition across the Rocky Mountains when his 
men were compelled to kill and eat their starving mules to 
keep themselves from starving. I remember when the West 
beyond the Mississippi was a region almost as little known as 
the interior of Africa is now\ San Francisco was not: Texas 
was not, save as an unexplored Mexican province, the home of 
countless buffaloes and wild horses. We here have stood almost 
still, but the wave of population has rolled steadily westward, 
across mountains and rivers; building great cities as it moved, 
and making iron and steel roads for travel, until it has met the 
far Pacific in the West. Do the waves of Ocean stop the 
movement? Nay! Japan is quickened and awakes to a new 
life, feeling an electric shock from the land across the Sea. 

CHRISTIAN PRIBER. 

We have seen that although there were occasional wrongs 
done by both whites and Indians, yet it is probable that there 
would have been no general war between the English settlers 
and the natives of the upper country had it not been for the 
intrigues of the French. At an early day the French had oc- 
cupied the northern portions of the Continent; they had passed 
westward through the Great Eakes; had found the upper part 
of the Mississippi; had explored that river to its mouth; had 
founded the city of New Orleans; had built a chain of forts 
from its mouth to its upper waters, and now aspired to the oc- 
cupation of the larger part of the Continent by hemming in the 
English and confining them to the slope on the Atlantic lying 
east of the Alleghany Mountains. To be successful in this 
grand scheme, it was necessary that they should foment dis- 
cord and keep up an endless war between the English and the 
nitive Indians. In these efforts they were only too successful, 
lough the ultimate result was loss to themselves, and the sur- 



21 HISTORY OF KDGEFIKtti. 

render, after many years of bloody and useless war, of all their 
northern possessions to the English. Louisiana, an immense 
tract of country, comprising their southern and western pos- 
sessions, was purchased from the Emperor Napoleon by Mr. 
Jefferson in 1803. One of the greatest, most artful, and most 
successful intriguers the French ever sent amongst the Chero- 
kees "Was a man named Christian Priber, a German Jesuit in 
the service of France. He was sent amongst them as early as 
the j^ear 1 736, the year of the founding of Augusta. Although 
a man of great learning and intelligence; a Hebrew, Greek, 
and Latin scholar, yet he made himself, to all intents and pur- 
poses, an Indian. He married an Indian woman of great 
beauty and intelligence; painted himself as a son of thewnlder- 
ness, and so completely' identified himself with the natives that 
his most intimate friends could scarcely have distinguished 
him from the people with whom he lived. He entirely won 
their confidence and impressed their minds with feelings of 
hatred and contempt for the English, representing them as 
rapacious, greedy, and dishonest. Briber's object seems to 
have been the founding of a great Indian Empire, composed of 
the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and other tribes. Had he 
lived it is problematical whether he could have succeeded or 
not, but his career was cut short by his captivity and death. 
About the year 1741, business called him to Mobile, which 
was then a French towm, near the head of navigation on the 
Tallapoosa, the English traders among the Creeks, suspecting 
the object of his journey, went in a body to the town of Tooka- 
^^tchka, where he was lodging, and arrested him. They car- 
ried him to Frederioa; delivered him to Gov. Oglethorpe, who 
put him in prision, where he soon afterwards died. But his 
influence did not die with him. He had filled the minds of 
the natives with distrust of the English, which never ceased to 
rankle in their hearts and always prevented a firm and settled 
peace. In the meantime, also, the use of rum had lowered 
and degraded their manhood, and the small-pox, carried up 
from Charlestown in a pack-horse train of goods, had further 
demoralized them by carrying off many in death, and disfigur- 
ing for life many of the survivors. All these evil influences 
combined produced a state of ill feeling in the nation, which 
was never entirely allayed, and finally culminated in the great 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIEU). ^3^' 

war of 1760-61, at the conclusion of which the Cherokees 
parted with a large portion of their lands, and retired higher up 
the countrj', near and among the mountains. This war is usu- 
ally known as Grant's war. Colonel Grant was a Scotchman, 
a colonel in the regular British service, and had general com- 
mand of the forces engaged — the troops raised by the Province 
of South Carolina, as well as his own regiment, — though the 
South Carolina regiment was under the immediate command of 
Col. Middleton. 

In this war first appear the names of Andrew Pickens and 
of others of Ninety-Six District; and Francis Marion, of the 
low country, who served with distinction and found it a good 
training school for service in that great war which was to fol- 
low not many years thereafter. Andrew Pickens was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and had moved to Ninety-Six District only a 
few years before the outbreak of this war. 



24 HISTORY OF EEGEFIELD. 

IV. 

OBSTRUCTING WATER COURSES. 

In the early da3^s of Edgefield fish of various kinds were so 
abundant, and furnished so much food for the people and of 
such excellent qualit}^, that their preservation was considered 
a matter of prime importance. Owing to the increase of popu- 
lation it b2:ame necessary to build mills for the grinding of 
corn into meal to supply the people with bread, and also saw- 
mills for the cutting of timber into plank for building pur- 
poses. This was before the days of steam, and dams across 
the streams became necessary in order to utilize the water 
power. These dams, of course, obstructed the free passage of 
fish, and especially shad, which in the early days of the colony, 
at certain seasons, were very numerous in all the larger streams 
nearly up to their sources. Here was a conflict of interests. 
The mills were necessary for the grinding of corn and also for 
the sawing of lumber, and the fish were a necessary article of 
food. The complaints of the people whose supply of fish was, 
in a great measure, cut off by the dams, became so earnest and 
troublesome, that the matter was made a subject of legislative 
investigation, and resulted in the passage of a Fish Sluice lyaw, 
March 26th, 1784. It was enacted that all owners of all dams, 
or other obstructions, on Broad, Saludy, Pacolet, Tyger, and 
Enoree Rivers, and Steven's Creek, should, within six months 
after the passage of this Act, build slopes, or make openings 
in their dams or obstructions, so that the fish at all times might 
freely pass up or down said rivers; in default whereof the per- 
son offending, shall on conviction, forfeit the sum of forty 
shillings for every day such obstruction should continue. But 
the necessity of having good mills was so great that it con- 
quered the supposed necessity of having a good supply of fish 
and the law at length became obsolete and died a natural death 
— I think it never was repealed. But the right to catch shad 
in Saluda, and the profit resulting therefrom, were not aban- 
doned without severe struggles to retain them; the last and 
most determined of which occurred in 1824. In that year a 
company of twenty men living near Saluda, in the. districts of 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 25, 

Abbeville and I,aurens— none from Edgefield, it appears — 
assembled at Swansey's Ferry, with a boat ready to float down 
the river, with all necessary tools and implements for cut'ing 
away the dam at I,orick's Mills — now owned by James Her- 
bert — which obstructed the free passage of fish. The law 
could not operate itself, and as the people in the neighborhood 
of the dam did not seem disposed to enforce it, and as they 
lived too far remote from the obstruction and from the Court 
House of the District in which the obstruction lay, they pre- 
ferred to carry out the provisions of the law in short form, the 
due and ancient form being entirely too inconvenient. This 
dam had been built, parti)- or entirely, at the expense of the 
State under the auspices of Col. Blanding, as part of his great 
scheme of making the Saluda a navigable stream. The canal, 
which was dug in furtherance of the scheme, has never en- 
tirely filled up yet, and is still to be seen. It was dug on the 
Newberry side of the river. The dam was very strongly built, 
with heavy pens of rock below it to buttress and secure it. 
Showing some respect for the Statute a small, narrow gap had 
been left open, but not deep enough for the purpose required 
by the law. When the party arrived at the scene of action 
and saw the strength of the dam and considered the magnitude 
of the work they would have to do if they accomplished their 
purpose, their ardor was considerably dashed. However, they 
concluded that it would not do to return home without having 
done something, and so they bravely set to work and toiled 
arduously for three days. In that time they opened a passage 
six feet wide and considerably deeper than the original one. 
Concluding this to be sufficient for the end designed, they de- 
sisted and returned home. Numerous spectators had gathered 
on both sides to witness the proceedings, but no one offered any 
opposition. A short time afterwar>'s the breach was effectually 
closed, and the dam made stronger than ever before. No 
effort was ever again made to remove the obstruction. 

EDUCATION. 

Education has never been neglected in Edgefield by the peo- 
ple nor by the State. Doubtless there has been individual 
neglect, and there still is, notwithstanding the universal free 
school system. At all times since the first settlements were 



26 HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 

made there have been many good schools in the county, and 
it has always been possible for those persons who desired a 
good education to get it. On this subject I can write know- 
ingly, for I am a native of Edgefield County. All the educa- 
tion I ever received at school was received in the County, at 
schools taught by teachers natives of the Count}^ with the ex- 
ception of three, and only two of the three were from other 
States, — one from Maine, who married and lived in the County 
the balance of his life — living at this time, 1891, I believe; the 
other was from North Carolina; and, I fear, the least compe- 
tent of all to teach what he professed. One was a native of 
York County, a brother of Gen. D. H. Hill. One of my 
teachers was Charles K. Johnson, a son of Rev. William B. 
Johnson, of Edgefield, founder of the Johnson Female Institute 
at Anderson. Charles K. Johnson was a graduate of Yale 
College; a ripe scholar — a man for whom I felt a reverence as 
great as it is possible for a boy to feel towards anj' young man. 
To me, whatever he may have been to others, he never spoke 
a harsh word, but was always as mild and gentle as possible, 
I shall always bear him in grateful remembrance and think of 
him as the type of the perfect gentleman. What he was in the 
world I know not, I never knew; so I can only think of him, 
and it does me good to think of him as all that was noble. 
From him I learned the mj^steries of English and of Latin 
grammar, and learned to read a little Latin. In the war 
against the Seminole Indians, he was a volunteer and served a 
three months term in Florida. He afterwards went to New 
Orleans, in which city he died. In those days when I was a 
pupil of Mr. Johnson's, short brea.sted, long-tailed, swallow- 
tailed blue coats were in fashion, with bright, brasj buttons on 
the breast and skirt. I can never forget how much I admired 
the appearance of Mr. Johnson and his friend George Addison, 
who was also a pupil, as they walked off together after school 
was over for the daj*. The tip ends of the long skirts of their 
coats touched the calves of their legs, and they were both tall 
young men. It was at this school that I first saw Preston S. 
Brooks, James C. Brooks, Thomas Butler, Butler Thompson, 
Bart Blocker, Thomas Bird, John R. Weaver, George Blocker, 
W. L. Jennings, George Bell, Mahlon Padgett, two or three 
Tomkiuses, W. W. Adams, and mauj^ others, some of whom 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 2f 

have long since gone to the land of the leal, and some still 
linger here. 

As it was in the section where I was born and reared so I 
have reason to believe it was in all parts of Edgefield. The 
opportunity to acquire a common school education, if no more, 
was always there, even from the first. Some parents willfully 
neglected the opportunities and advantages before them and 
permitted their children to grow up in ignorance. I knew one 
family where the children grew up with very little knowledge 
of books and whose manners were rather uncouth and unre- 
fined; but who, so far as money was concerned, w^ere prosper- 
ous and well to do. Indeed, it was the love of money, the 
desire to accumulate, that caused the parents in this case to 
neglect the education of their children. Money was preferred 
to letters. Are there not some such cases j^et? Not only 
were there schools in all parts of the county where reading, 
writing, and arithmetic were taught, and where these were, 
perhaps, the highest branches, with a course of lyiudley Mur- 
ray; but there were academies of a higher order in different 
parts of the State and county, in which a better education could 
be obtained. The .same lyCgislature which divided Ninety-Six 
District into several smaller counties, chartered a college to be 
erected at Ninety-Six, and also other colleges at several other 
places in the State. On March 17th, 1785, five days after the 
passage of the Act for the division of Ninety Six-District, an 
Act was passed for erecting and establishing a College at Winns- 
borough, in the District of Camden; a college in or near the 
cit}' of Charlestown; and a college at Ninety-Six, in the Dis- 
trict of Ninety-Six, in the State of South Carolina. Similar 
Acts had been passed before the Revolution, and some were 
passed even during that stormy period. Nor was the State ever 
backward in appropriating money for Common School pur- 
poses. The appropriations were always liberal; amply suffi- 
cient, as was supposed, to meet all the exigencies of the case; 
that is, the education in the common English branches, of all 
who were not able to educate themselves. The public school 
system, as we have it now, is a creature of modern introduc- 
tion, and the State pays, per annum, for each child so edu- 
cated about two dollars. Under the old system each child, 
edacated by the funds appropriated for that purpose, cost never 



28 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

less than four dollars per year, and sometimes as much as ten 
in Edgefield. I do not wish to condemn our present school 
system, but it does not, and cannot, in the very nature of 
things, give an education worthy of the name. However, if 
one is thirsty and cannot have a full draught of water it 
is better to have a spoonful than none. For our present pur- 
pose it is enough to say that the cause of education has never 
been neglected in Edgefield. A county which has produced 
and reared such men as Maximillian LaBorde, A. P. Butler, 
P. M. Butler, the Bacons, Brookses, Charles K. Johnson, and 
many others, and which has been the home of the Hammonds, 
Chancellor Wardlaw, Carroll, Griffin, Spann, Moragne, Mc- 
Duffie, General Gary, and others, whose names I cannot now call 
to mind, has no cause to be ashamed of itself. Of the living, 
as the Tillmans, Senator Butler, the pen of the historian should 
not write much; but as public men and serv^ants have we any 
reason to be ashamed of them? 

The Edgefield Village Academy was incorporated December 
1 8th, 1824, though the village itself was not an incorporated 
town until 1830. The Academy was established and in suc- 
cessful operation some years before it was incorporated. 
James J. Caldwell, of Newberry, afterwards Chancellor, taught 
there in 18 19. The village was made the county seat in 1791 
and the first court was held there early in 1792. Certain 
escheated property was to vest in the village and the Society 
Academies to the amount of ten thousand dollars. In Decem- 
ber, 18 1 5, thirty-seven thousand dollars were appropriated by 
the State for general educational purposes, of which Edgefield 
received its due proportion. It was also enacted at the .same 
time, that not less thaa that amount should be the annual ap- 
propriation. An inspection of the Acts of the Legislature will 
show that the State was never indifferent to the education of 
its children. 

Professor La Bjrde recaived his early education at the Edge- 
field Village Academ}^ and thus writes of it: "Among my 
early teachers was Robert L. Armstrong, who taught for four 
years in the Edgefield Village Academy. He was from York 
District in our State, and a graduate of our College. He was 
remarkable for his industry and strict discipline. The 
Academy prospered under his direction — students poured 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 29- 

in from the contiguous districts, and not a few from Geor- 
gia." 

At this time, 1891, there are graded schools in operation in 
the town of Edgefield, in which several hundred children, both 
black and white, receive instruction in the ordinary English 
branches at the public expense. Besides the public schools, 
which have proven insufficient for complete educational pur- 
poses, there are open, for eight or nine months in the 3'ear, not 
less than twenty good schools in which the pupils paj- for their 
tuition. 



30 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



V. 

THE BUTLER FAMILY. 

Passing out from Saluda to the neighborhood of Big Creek, 
near where Butler Church, Methodist, now stands, we find the 
old homestead of the Butler family. Capt. James Butler, the 
founder of the family in Edgefield, came from Prince William 
County, Virginia, a few years before the breaking out of the 
Revolutionary war, bringing with him his family. 

FROM A. P. butler's FAMILY BIBLE. 

The following entries are taken from ah old Bible which 
James Butler had at his death: 

William Butler, son of James Butler and Mary his wife 
(before marriage a Miss Simpson), was born December 17th, 

1759- 

James Butler, son of James Butler and Mary his wife, was 
born March 2nd, 1761. 

Thomas Butler, son of James Butler and Mary his wife, was 
born November 4th, 1763. 

Nancy Butler, daughter of James Butler and Mary his wife, 
was born September 27th, 1765. 

Elizabeth Butler, daughter of James Butler and Mary his 
wife, was born 17th December, 1766. ^ 

Sampson Butler, the son of the above, was born February 
i8th, 1769. 

Note. — What is found on this page was written by my 
grandfather before or during his imprisonment in Charleston. 

The names of the two sons, Stanraoreand Mason Butler, are 
from some cause omitted. 

In another place in the Bible is this: Gen William Butler 
was born in Loudon Count}-, Virginia, in 1759. 

William Butler married Behethland Foote Moore June 3d, 
1784. 

Behethland Foote Moore was born near the Maryland line in 
Virginia, December 28th, 1764. 

Mr. William P. Butler, in some notes that he gave me of the 
Butler Famil}^ says: "We have no knowledge of Capt. James 
Butler prior to his emigrating from Virginia between i6Soand 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIEliD. 3 1 

and 1720." This is quite a mistake, as his son William was 
born in Virginia in 1759. He says also that: "Miss Sarah But- 
ler, sister of Capt. James Butler, killed on Cloud's Creek, by 
Cunningham's band of tories, married first Capt. Smallwood 
Smith, by whom she had two children, recollected Jacob B. 
Smith and Sarah Butler Smith, wife of Ryden G. Mays." 

Elsewhere it is stated that Sarah Butler married Jacob Smith 
of Mount Willing. 

The following is a copy from a manuscript written by Hon. 
A. P. Butler: 

FAMILY MEMOIR. 

General William Butler, the subject of this memoir, was 
born in Prince William County, Virginia, in 1759. His father. 
Captain James Butler, removed with his family to South Caro- 
lina and settled in the District of Ninety-Six a few years before 
the Revolution. They were destined to take their full share 
in the stormy times that were approaching. Captain Butler, 
before he had time to attend his private affairs, was called 
upon to engage in the public concerns of the country. He 
served in the Snow Camp Expedition under General Richard- 
son and was under General Williamson in his expedition 
against the Cherokee Indians. In 1779, upon the call of 
General Lincoln, who had assumed command of the Southern 
forces, he repaired to his camp near Augusta, Ga. , but was 
taken sick and was unable to follow the army in the subse- 
quent campaign. 

From this period few events of Revolutionary interest oc- 
curred in the upper part of the State until after the fall of 
Charleston. The capitulation of the forces in the city and the 
dispersion or retreat of the small detached corps, which had 
kept the field during the siege, was regarded by the Royal 
commander as a restoration of British authority, and both 
civil and military organizations were engaged to maintain it. 
The inhabitants of the State were called upon to swear alle- 
giance to the British authorit}' and to take British protection. 
The village of Ninety-Six was designated as a place for the 
surrounding country to appear for the purpose. The proc- 
lamation was thought to be delusive and many persons 
appeared on the day without fulh^ iniderstanding its import. 



32 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Among these was Capt. James Butler, who, when informed of 
what was demanded of him, positively refused to conform lo 
the terms of the proclamation. The British officers in com- 
mand immediately put him in irons and threw him in Ninety- 
Six jail, from whence he was transferred to Charleston where 
he was confined in the provost for eighteen months. Upon 
Ills release, towards the last of the year 17S1, from this severe 
and lengthened imprisonment he returned once more to his 
home, where he was fated to remain but three weeks before he 
was called on to seal with his life his devotion to the cause in 
which he had alread}' suffered so much. The incidents of the 
bloody tragedy in which he died can be paralelled only in the 
annals of civil strife. 

From the beginning of the contest with the mother country 
a difference of sentiment had existed in the State on this sub- 
ject. South Carolina had been a pet province of the Crown. 
The grievances complained of by the commercial colonies were 
unfelt by her, and a strong conservative feeling pervaded a 
large class of her people. This feeling was strongest in the 
■up country where the inhabitants took arms from the begin- 
ning upon either side of the quarrel, and the contest conducted 
by irregular troops assumed a savage guerilla character, in 
which, says General Greene, the inhabitants pursued each 
other like wild beasts. 

A marauding party of lyOj^alists had made an incursion in 
the neighborhood of Mount Willing, near which Capt. Butler 
lived, carrying off considerable booty, and a band of Whigs 
being formed for their pursuit, he was called upon to take com- 
mand of the expedition. At first he positively refused to go 
at all, saying that his hardships and privations already- en- 
dured, and his recent return to his home ought to exempt him 
from such an undertaking. But his son, James Butler, one 
of the party, refusing to continue of the expedition unless his 
father assumed its direction. Captain Butler yielded to the appeal 
and consented to go as an adviser, the actual command being 
in Captain Turner. The lyoyalists were overtaken, dispersed at 
Farra's Spring, in Lexington District, and the horses and cat- 
tle the}' had taken recaptured. Upon the return of the Whig 
party they stopped at Cloud's Creek and encamped, refusing 
to move onwards or to adopt the ordinary precaution against 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 33^ 

surprise, notwithstanding the urgent remonstrances of Captain 
Butler. It was not known then who were the L,oyaHsts they 
had been pursuing, but the next morning demonstrated the 
wisdom of his advice. They proved to have been connected 
Avith a larger band, and about sunrise, the band amounting to 
some three hundred men, under the lead of William Cunning- 
ham, approached and attacked the camp. Taken by surprise 
and utterly disorganized, the little party of Whigs, about 
thirty in number, rallied and took shelter in an unfinished 
log house without doors or windows. They were fired upon 
by Cunningham's party, and a demand for surrender per- 
emptorily made. Its terms were enquired by the Whigs and 
the response of the Tories was that they were unconditional, 
but that they would receive a communication from them. 

Smallwood Smith was selected for the ofifice; Cunningham's 
first inquiry w^as who are of your party? On hearing that 
young James Butler, the son who had been engaged in the 
affair in which Radcliff was killed was among them, he deter- 
mined to give no terms that would exempt this young man 
from his sw^ord. Cunningham was well acquainted with the 
father, Capt. Butler, having served with him in the expedition 
against the Indians, to which allusion has already been made. 
It is said he had rather a partiality for him and would have 
entertained terms of capitulation with the party had it not 
been for the presence of the son. 

Capt. James Butler sent Cunningham a special message that 
if he would spare his .son he would .make an unconditional 
surrender of himself. The young man, however, learning 
Cunningham's animosity to himself and entertaining the im- 
pression that his father or he would be sacrificed in the event 
of any surrender, determined to run all the hazards of a con- 
test of arms, and exclaiming that he would settle the terms of 
capitulation, commenced the contest by firing his rifle and 
killing a Tory by the name of Stewart. It is said that nego- 
tiation had been commenced to save the officers and sacrifice 
the privates. But be this as it may, this demon.stration of 
courage concluded the parley, and young Butler, but 19 years 
old, received a mortal wound while kneeling to pick his flint 
for a second discharge. The gallant but expiring boy called his 
father, who had gone upon the expedition unarmed in his 



34 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

character as adviser, to his side, handed him his rifle; and told 
him there were yet a few balls in his pouch. The father took 
the gun and discharged it until the ammunition was exhausted. 
But the death of the young man produced a panic in the little 
party contending against such hopeless odds, and an uncondi- 
tional surrender was the result. 

They were placed upon a ladder placed as a bench and heard 
the terrific order given to put them to the unsparing sword of 
retaliation and revenge, but two of the number escaped; the 
rest were slaughtered where they stood. Capt. James Butler 
caught up a pitchfork and defended himself until his right 
hand was severed by a sabre stroke. 

The tragedy did not terminate here. A detachment of 
Tories, under the command of Prescott, a subordinate leader, 
was left to meet any burying party that might be sent to inter 
the mangled victims, and especially to meet the subject of our 
memoir, then a Captain of Rangers, who, it was expected, 
would hasten to the spot. But William Butler was too far 
from the sad scene to be present even at the funeral ceremo- 
nial. Women performed the melancholy rites. Mrs. Sarah 
Smith, a sister of James Butler, the elder, (his widow at the 
time being in a state of confinement) was summoned to the scene. 
Her brother's body was recognised by his hand being severed, 
but the rest could not be identified by their relatives. James 
Butler, the younger, was supposed to be identified. A large 
pit was dug, into which the unburied bodies were indiscrimi- 
nately placed; but a separate grave was prepared by the direc- 
tion of Mrs. Smith, in which the remains of the Butlers, father 
and son, were deposited and over which an humble monument 
wath filial piety has since been erected. 

WILLIAM BUTLER. 

When Lincoln issued his proclamation from his camp near 
Augusta, William Butler repaired to his standard as a lieuten- 
ant of militia. The American leader's purpose was the inva- 
sion and reclamation of Georgia. Leaving a corps of observa- 
tion at Purysburg, under Moultrie, he had scarcely crossed the 
Savannah River higher up when his sagacious adversary, 
Prevost, finding the way to Charleston open, made a brilliant 
dash for the capture of that city, and had nearly succeeded. 



HISTORY 01^ l^DGBPifiLD. 35. 

WhtiYi Xt crossed the Savannah the city was without defences",. 
and Lincoln believing the movement but a feint, delayed to 
pwrsue him; but Moultrie, throwing himself in his path, met 
Mm at Tulifiny and Coosa whatchie, and by a defensive retreat 
delayed his advance until field works sufficient to withstand an 
assault could be thrown up for the defence of the city. 

The approach of Lincoln's force, as well as Governor Rut- 
ledge with militia from Orangeburg, forbade regular ap- 
proaches, and Prevost commenced his retreat by way of the 
islands to Savannah. The militia from the up country were 
then discharged, but William Butler, who had been of the de- 
tachment engaged in the action of Stono, remained and at- 
tached himself to Pulaski's Legion, in which he remained 
during the campaign of 1779. He was with the gallant Pole- 
until his death at the siege of Savannah, and always spoke of 
him as a bold, dashing dragoon officer. (He complimented 
his memoT}^ by naming one of his grandson's after him,) 

During the captivity of his father in Charleston all the re- 
sponsibiJities of family obligations devolved upon William 
Butler. It was at that time, too, the time immediately suc- 
ceeding the fall of Charleston, that that brilliant race of par- 
tisan leaders, whose achievements threw so much of romance 
over the war at the South, sprang into existence. And when 
General Greene took command of the Southern army in 1 780, 
the depression which had followed the fall of Charleston dis- 
appeared entirely from public sentiment and South Carolina 
was once more the most warlike State of the Confederacy. 

General Greene's movement upon Ninety-Six is a matter of 
history. At that time William Butler was serving under Gen- 
eral Pickens on the Carolina side of the Savannah River near 
Augusta. He was at the siege of Augusta, and after the fall 
of that place,, having been detailed by General Pickens to 
attend Colonel Lee to Ninety-Six, then also besieged, he was 
present at the interview between Greene and Lee, upon Lee's 
arrival, in the which the latter suggested the attack upon the 
stockade. General Butler always expressed himself with em- 
phasis in speaking of this interview, repeating the words of 
Lee, that "the spring must be taken." Greene replied: 
"How can it be done without a general assault?" Lee re- 
sponded: "Allow me to take the stockade on the opposite side 



36 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

and my guns will then drive them from the water. " The 
stockade was then taken and the garrison deprived of the use 
of the spring, an operation which it has been conceded by 
miUtary critics if accomplished at an earlier period of the siege 
would have resulted in the fall of the place before it could have 
been relieved. As it was, Cruger, commanding the garrison, 
managed to prolong his defence by sinking wells in the star 
redoubt. Terms of capitulation had been proposed which 
Greene refused, believing he could still take the place by 
pushing the sap against the star redoubt under Kosciusko's 
directions. The approach of I,ord Rawdon with the relieving 
force blasted his hopes. 

A corps was detached to meet Raw^don while an assault 
upon an incomplete breach was hazarded. Some skirmishing 
between Rawdon' s advance guard and this corps took place 
near Saluda Old Town, in which some were killed and several 
wounded. A j-oung lieutenant from Virginia by the name of 
Wade was shot, and as he fell from his saddle, with a genuine 
trooper's care for his steed, forgetting himself, exclaimed 
to his comrades: "Don't let my horse fall into the hands 
of the enemy." He was carried to the house of Samuel 
Savage and finally recovered. The Americans fell back 
and the combatants had not long swept by when a young 
dragoon officer with a white plume and the cockade of 
the Whigs in his hat, and accompanied by an orderly, 
rode up to ]\Ir. Savage's and learned from his step-daughter, 
who had jus': ret •.-.rued from the vicinity of Ninety-Six, 
that the siege wcsj raised and Greene in full retreat had 
v^/ossed Saluda at the Island ford, with I^ee's legion bringing up 
the rear. The young officer v/as William Butler, and this was 
his first meeting with the lad}^ whom he subsequently married. 
He had been detached from the army of Ninet3'-Six upon some 
separate service under General Henderson, from whom he 
derived his first commission as captain in 17S1. He at once 
determined to join the retreating army, and being told that 
two stragglers from Rawdon' s force were down in Savage's 
low grounds, taking the plantation horses, he took them pris- 
oners, mDunted one of them behind himself and the other 
behind his orderly, swam Saluda near what is now called Boaz- 
man's Ferry, and joined L,ee about ten miles from the Lsland 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 37 

ford on the Newberry side. He had learned from the prisoners 
that Rawdon had rushed forward a strong light corps, em- 
bracing both cavalry and infantry, in hot pursuit of the Amer- 
icans. When William Butler came up with Lee he informed 
him of the pursuit, and the information came none too soon. 
Lee had halted his command and was lying on his saddle- 
blanket, making a pillow of his saddle. His prompt direction 
to Armstrong, one of his captains, was: "Form your troops in 
the rear and fight while we run." The legion was bareh' 
again on the march when the enemy appeared; but Armstrong 
made the required demonstrations with such gallantry and con- 
fidence that the enemy, apprehending an engagement with a 
stronger force, paused for reinforcements and Lee was enabled 
to put himself in close communication with the main body, 
which was then halted at Bushes Creek. 

After this time William Butler was a partisan, sometimes 
serving as second in command under Ryan, and sometimes in 
the same position under Watson— both partisan leaders of 
local distinction. At a subsequent period he raised and 
commanded a company of mounted Rangers, under a 
commission from General Pickens, confirmed by the Gov- 
ernor of the State. While serving under W^atson he was 
engaged in an expedition against a band of Tories, who had 
organized themselves on Edisto. The expedition rendezvoused 
at the Ridge, Edgefield District. Michael Watson, the leader, 
was a determined and resentful man, and consulted too much 
the counsels which these feelings suggested. When they met 
the Tories at Dean's Swamp the latter were stronger than had 
been expected, and though partly taken in ambush and the 
Tories occupying a strong position he disdained a retreat. 
The Whigs had fallen back at the first fire with symptoms of 
panic and a faltering response to the order to charge. But few 
obeyed with the stern alacrity they were wont to welcome it. 
Many obeyed not at all. Again driven back, the stern old war- 
rior shouted his rally and ordered his men to stand to their dut3^ 
But about fifteen came up to the call. They had originally 
gone into the fight against superior numbers, and the Tories 
strongly posted in the swamp, v^'hich position they still main- 
tained. Watson was mortally wounded by a ball through the 
hip while loading his rifle behind a tree. William Butler then 



38 HISTORY OF BDGKFIELD. 

assumed the command, giving his lieutenancy to John Corley, 
and, the danger of the party requiring a resort to desperate 
measures, placed him in rear with an order to cut down the 
first man that gave way. It happened that Joseph Corley, 
among others, was about to give way, which would have left 
the small remnant of the Whigs to certain destruction. John 
Corley, true to his instructions, with drawn sword menaced 
his brother with instant death unless he returned to his post. 
Joseph did return and behaved well afterwards. 

Vardell had been killed, and before his breath left him he 
begged his comrades not to let his body fall into the hands of 
the Tories. The wounded Watson, lying between the con- 
tending parties, had made a similar appeal, specially to Wil- 
liam Butler: "Billy, do not let them take me." 

The Whigs made one more charge and carrying off their 
comrades retreated, but found time to bury poor Vardell under 
a clay root and cover him with their swords. At some little 
distance from the scene of conflict they took refuge in a 
wooden outhouse, being pursued, but circumspectly, by the 
Tories. Watson, severely wounded, and the sudden ap- 
prehension of dath, still maintained a military resolution. 
A woman happened to be in the house in which they entered 
whose infant, some three weeks old, was in a dwelling some 
distance off. Watson insisted she should be detained; that 
their weakened condition required concealment and she might 
betray them. They found, means, however, to get informa- 
tion of their perilous situation to Orangeburg, and Captain, 
subsequently General Rumph, hastened to their relief. Under 
his escort Watson was carried upon a litter in a dying con- 
dition to Orangeburg where he expired and was buried. Wil- 
liam Butler superintended the military honors of his funeral. 

While serving with Ryan the subject of our memoir was 
engaged in another expedition against the Tories in Orange- 
burg District. They were in force near the Court House. A 
number of Tories, finding their condition desperate, deserted 
to the Whigs, and Ryan, distrusting them, placed them in front 
with instructions to his men to shoot them if they proved false. 
In the fight which ensued his chief was again disabled and 
William Butler assumed the command. The Tories were de- 
feated. 



HISTORY OF KDGKFIELD. 39^ 

In 1782 Cunningham made a second incursion into the 
Ninety-Six District. Perfectly familiar with the country in 
his youth, possessed of great sagacity, fertility in military ex- 
pedients and endowed with all the physical qualities so essen- 
tial to the partizan, he was no mean adversary to contend with. 
A favorite manoeuvre with him was to divide his command 
upon the march into small detachments, to be concentrated by 
different routes near the point at which the blow was aimed. 
In this manner he had concentrated his force at Caradine's ford 
on Saluda. William Butler then was commanding a company 
of Rangers under the authority of General Pickens and, with 
a portion of his company marched to meet him. With a view 
to ascertain the enemy's position he resorted to a ruse. Ap- 
proaching the residence of Joseph Cunningham, near the junc- 
tion of Little Saluda with Big Saluda, he sent forward his 
brother, Thomas Butler, with Abner Corley to the house at 
night. Thomas Butler was an excellent mimic and, imitating 
the voice of one of William Cunningham's men, called Nibletts, 
asked from without where our friend Cunningham was. The 
wife of Joseph Cunningham replied that he had crossed at 
Caradine's ford. With that information William Butler him- 
self rode up to the house and mounting Joseph Cunningham 
On a horse compelled him to guide the party across the ford. 

They crossed the ford at 12 o'clock at night and next morn- 
ing halted in a peach orchard near Bauknight's Ferry. The 
horses were unbridled but with the saddles on feeding upon 
peas out of a canoe when a grey mare, which Cunningham 
was known to have taken out of the neighborhood, was ob- 
ser\-ed passing back, having escaped from his camp. This 
incident disclosed in some measure the state of affairs, and the 
Rangers received the orders to march. The Rangers num- 
bered some thirty and Cunningham's men about twenty. The 
bloody scene of Cloud's Creek animated any encounter between 
Butler and Cunningham with more of the feelings of the duello 
than the battle-field. Approaching the Tory position unob- 
served, John Corley was detailed with eight men to gain their 
rear and upon a concerted signal to commence the attack, while 
the main body advanced under cover of a hedge. The Tories 
were drying their blankets by their camp fires; Cunningham, 
himself, was at a little distance off from his band. As it after- 



40 HISTORY OF EEGEFIKLD. 

wards appeared, Butler's person being at one time exposed in 
advancing before the signal was given, he was observed by the 
Tories, but taken for their leader, for there was a striking per- 
sonal resemblance between the two men. 

Corley's furious assault, himself foremost in the charge, was 
the first intimation to the Tories that their exasperated foes 
were at hand. Cunningham was promptly at his post, but, 
taken by surprise and attacked by superior numbers, thought 
only of safety. Having no time to saddle his horse, but with 
partizan quickness seizing his holsters sprang to his seat, while 
Butler, singling him out, dashed in pursuit. Both men were 
remarkably fine riders and tradition has preserved the names 
of the horses they rode. Cunningham was mounted on a mare 
which had become celebrated in the service as "Silver Heels," 
while Butler rode a horse called "Ranter." As Butler carried 
only a sabre and Cunningham only pistols that had been ren- 
dered useless by the rain of the night before, for he snapped 
them repeatedly over his shoulders at his adversary as he fled, 
life or death hung upon the speed of the horses. As long as 
the chase was in the woods "Ranter" maintained his own, but 
when he struck an open trail in which the superior strides of 
Cunningham's thoroughbred could tell, turning in his seat and 
patting with triumph and confidence the noble animal that bore 
him, he tauntingly exclaimed, "I am safe," and dashing rap- 
idly away from his adversary, he escaped by httnself swim- 
ming the Saluda near lyorick's ferry. When William Butler 
returned from the pursuit of Cunningham he found a portion 
of his command assembled at the Tory camp under circum- 
stances which gave him great concern. Turner, one of his 
pnsoi.ers, had been deliberately shot through the heil aftjr he 
had surrendered. When Butler sternly rebuked the act Sey- 
sin, who had done the deed, justified himself by reciting an 
outrage the unfortunate Tory had inflicted upon his mother. 
The verdict of the corps was in Seysin's favor and no court 
martial was held upon him. There was certainly strong pal- 
liating circumstances in the case. The Tory had stripped Mrs. 
Seysin to the waist and tying her had severely whipped her to 
force her to disclose where a party of Whigs, among whom was 
her son, were, 

A pursuit of Cunningham's men was ordered for the pur- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 4 1 

pose of capturing or dispersing them, and some were overtaken 
while crossing the river. Butler, finding his men disposed to 
fire upon them, ordered De L,oach, who was raising his rifle, 
to desist. Shenvood Corley was then in the river, had snapped 
his pistol at the retreating part^^ not heeding the order, he 
deliberately primed it afresh while in the water and killed a 
Tory named Davis while he was ascending the Edgefield bank. 
The result of this action w^as the dispersion of Cunningham's 
famous band. He, himself, retired to Cuba wdiere he died, 
being prevented from returning to his native State after the 
w^ar by a proscriptive proclamation of the authoritives. He was 
awarded something like an ovation by the British. Goudy, a 
gallant partizan of the Revolution, visited Cuba after the war 
on account of his health. Cunningham, in the true spirit of 
hospitality, called upon him with an invitation to dinner. 
Whether Goudy accepted the invitation or not we cannot say; 
but Cunningham told him that on one occasion he had ridden 
up with an escort at his back to a house near Ninety-Six, in 
which Goudy and others were playing cards, with a view to 
ascertaining if William Butler was among them. "Why did 
you not fire upon us?' ' asked Goudy. "I had no temptation to 
kill you," said Cunningham, "but if Billy Butler had been 
there 3'ou w^ould have had the floor flooded with blood." 

From this time until after the close of the w'ar, William But- 
ler continued at the head of the Rangers, under command of 
General Pickens, and was considered his favorite captain. He 
had, however, very little duty other than patrol to perform. 
His company of Rangers was not discharged until 1784, more 
than a year after the peace. 

With the resumption of the pursuits of civil life, the sol- 
dier's thoughts reverted to the young girl of Saluda with whom 
his meeting during Green's retreat from Ninety-Six has 
already been mentioned. Nor had she forgotten the young- 
officer of the cocade and plume, for when the household re- 
jected him, (the stepfather forbade him to visit her), she told 
him to come, she would see him. They were married the 3d 
of June, 17S4. 

Miss Behethlaud Foot Moore, whom William Butler had 
thus selected as the partner of his life, was a woman of strong, 
and in many respects remarkable traits of character. She al- 



42 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

ways exercised great influence with her husband and he relied 
much upon her judgment and advice. He seemed to have in- 
spired her with a deep feeling, almost amounting to a fascina- 
tion; of itself a high tribute to his memory. 

In 1 794 William Butler was elected by the Legislature of 
South Carolina Sheriff of Ninety-Six District. He discharged 
few of the ministerial duties, however, leaving them to his 
brothers, Thomas and Stanmore, who were his deputies; but 
he always conducted the military escort of the Judge coming 
into the District and presided as High Sheriff during the sit- 
ting of the Court. 

The sheriff of that day was an ofhcer of distinction and was 
generally detailed upon offices of honor. William Butler, as 
Sheriff of Ninety-Six, received General Washington when 
upon the Southern tour, from the authorities of Georgia, and 
conducted him by the Pine House to the Ridge, which was near 
the termination of his territorial jurisdiction At the Ridge, 
General Hampton, then sheriff of what was called Camden 
District, received and conducted him by Granby, through Cam- 
den and thence to Charlotte, North Carolina, where the 
authorities of that State received the illustrious patriot. (There 
is certainly an error here. Washington passed through the 
District in 1791). 

In 1796 General Pickens resigned the office of Major- 
General of the upper division of vSouth Carolina militia and 
through his recommeadation Willi uu Butler was elected by the 
State Legislature to fill the vacancy. In 1800 General Butler 
became a candidate for Congress against Robert Goodloe Har- 
per, the incumbent from the Ninety-Six District. Mr. Harper 
had been elected as a Republican, but from conscientious 
motives joined the Federalists and supported what was pecu- 
liarly unpopular at the South — Jay's Treaty. This raised 
opposition to him at home and General Butler was selected as 
the opposition candidate, his old commander, John Ryan, mov- 
ing the nomination. He succeeded in the election and took 
his seat in 1801. 

When the resolution, charging General Wilkinson with com- 
plicity with Burr, in his attributed treason, was moved and 
adopted in the House of Representatives, the occasion gave rise 
to great sensation. A discussion took place upon the floor as 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 43 

to the chairman of the Committee of Investigation. A ballot 
was called for by Wilkinson's friends, the motion was overlaid 
and the duty of making the appointment devolved upon the 
Speaker. He appointed General Butler. Wilkinson made some 
offensive remarks. Something of this kind, that he was not 
only to be tried by a militia general, but that he was con- 
demned before he was tried. This being reported to General 
Butler he resigned his position on the committee. Roger 
Bacon being appointed to succeed him and unfriendly commu- 
nications were made between him and Wilkinson. They were, 
however, fully reconciled. 

In 1813 General Butler resigned his seat in Congress, dis- 
tinctly in preference to Mr. Calhoun, saying to him, "You can 
meet Mr. Randolph in debate, I cannot." His admiration for 
Randolph was very high, and notwithstanding they differed in 
opinion as to the war of 181 2, the}^ still continued to entertain 
friendly relations. Butler once spent some time with him at 
his house by invitation in returning from Congress, 

In 18 14 General Butler was called by Gen. Alston, in a very 
complimentary Order, on record in Washington, to command 
the troops of South Carolina at Charleston. 

President Madison had, in 181 2, offered him the commission 
of brigadier general in the United States service, but he de- 
clined it, saying he was a major general at home. 

General Jackson was appointed to command the forces at 
New Orleans, while General Butler was to command in Charles- 
ton. They had been comrades in early life and Jackson sent 
him word that they were both called militia generals, but he 
knew whichever was attacked would do his duty. General 
Pickens desired to prescribe the mode of defence of Charleston _ 
His plan was to allow the enemy to land and fight them in the 
streets from behind barricades. Butler's response to him, when 
he assumed the command, was that he expected to consult the 
dictates of his own judgment, and they should meet them in 
the water. An incursion was made upon one of the islands 
for the purpose of supplying provisions to the fleet off the coast, 
and a slight affair occurred in which Captain Dent of the navy 
was principally engaged. The incursion was repelled. This 
was the only engagement with the enemy of any portion of 
General Butler's command. It had fallen to the lot of his 



44 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

friend Jackson to vindicate the ability of militia generals. The 
war terminated with the battle of New Orleans and General 
Butler became a private citizen. 

From this period to the close of his life he confined himself 
principally to the business of his farm. During the time he was 
in Congress his seat was twice contested, first by Dr. Scriven, 
a man of high character, and afterwards by Edmund Bacon, a 
man of mark. The last contest gave rise to the unfortunate 
issue known as the "old and new parties of Edgefield." It was 
bitter and led to many painful controversies. Mr. Bacon not 
only became reconciled with, but was afterwards a warm friend 
of General Butler's and frequently entertained him with a hos- 
pitality that would scarcely be recognized at the present day. 

General Butler was a member of the convention held in 
Charleston in 1787 to consider the adoption of the Federal Con- 
stitution, and with General Sumter and others, whose names 
are to be found on the journal, voted against it. He was sub- 
sequently a member of the convention which framed our pres- 
ent State Constitution. (Constitution previous to 1868). 

General Butler's brothers w^ere Thomas, who was regarded 
a man of military talent; Sampson, who was Sheriff of Edge- 
field, and for many years represented that district in the State 
legislature ; Stanmore, who was a captain in the United States 
army during the time a war was expected with France, and 
was Clerk of the Court of Edgefield when he died; and James, 
who was killed in the Revolution, as already described. He 
had two sisters, Nancy and Elizabeth. The first married Elisha 
Brooks, who was a lieutenant in the Revolution; the latter mar- 
ried Zachariah Brooks, who was also a lieutenant in the Revo- 
lution and subsequently a colonel of State cavalry. 

He had eight children. James was Sheriff of Edgefield and 
a colonel of State cavalry at his death. George Butler was a 
lawyer, and during the war of 18 12 served as major in the 
regular arnij'. William was a physician and was a surgeon in 
the army at New Orleans. He also .served one term as Rep- 
resentative in Congress. Frank Butler was a lawyer. Pierce 
M. Butler was an officer in the regular army; was Pre.sident of 
the Bank of the State; was Governor of South Carolina, and 
fell at the battle of Cherubusco at the head of the Palmetto 
Regiment. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 45 

Emmala, the only daughter, was married to General Waddy 
Thompson, who was a lawyer, a member of Congress and Min- 
ister to Mexico. Leontine died young. 

Andrew Pickens Butler, the sole survivor, l>as been a lawyer, 
a Judge, and is now the senior United States Senator from 
South Carolina. (Judge A. P. Butler died May 25, 1857. A 
biographical notice of him is given elsewhere in this book). 

General Butler was a handsome man, about six feet high, a 
good shot with a rifle, and excellent in woodcraft and horse- 
manship. His fondness for horses amounted to a passion, and 
he would have none but the finest blood upon his place. He 
considered it a defect in his soi.s not to ride well, and was in 
the habit of making them break his colts until, upon one occa- 
sion when a "Dare Devil" filly was to be mounted and two of 
the boys, Pickens and Pierce, were drawing lots to see who 
should do it. Mrs. Butler could stand it no longer. She inter- 
posed, telling her husband that they were her children as well 
as his, and if the horses were to be broken, put the servants at 
it. He 34elded, carelessly remarking, "it would not hurt them 
to get thrown , the ground was plowed. ' ' 

At one time he was engaged upon the Turf and ran his 
horses generally with success; but upon one occasion a demand 
was made upon him for a stake which he was unable to put up. 
Under the demand, however, he put up his family servant, 
Will. He won the race and it was his last. Returning home 
he told his wife what he had done and gave her a positive 
pledge, which he kept, never to run another race or to play 
another card. General Butler was a man of strong impres- 
sions and of great self-reliance. Though his connection with 
most of the events narrated was a subordinate one, he always 
had his own and decided opinions. Pie had not literary attain- 
ments, but in the school of exj)erie.ice he was a scholar that 
stood high. One strong peculiarity marked his character — an 
aversion to long letters and long speeches. He always spoke 
of John Rutledge as the best speaker he had ever heard; com- 
mending him chiefly for his brevity. He, himself, seldom 
wrote over a page, and that laconic and dispatchful. His 
sheriff's books, now in the possession of Hon. A. P. Butler, 
is a model of official neatness. 

In his domestic relations he was absolute; making his sons 



46 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

entirely subservnent to his commands. His wife was devoted 
to him. 

William Butler died in September, 182 1, and was buried at 
the family burial-ground at Big Creek, in Edgefield District. 
He died with remarkable calmness. While he has left little 
that is remembered, save through tradition, he was a man of 
mark in his day. 

Peace be to his ashes. 






HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 47 



YI. 

MUSTER ROLL— BROOKS' COMPANY. 

General Butler's sister, Elizabeth, became the wife of Zach- 
ary Smith lirooks, lyieutenant during the Revolution and after- 
wards Colonel of State Cavalry. As it may possibly be of in- 
terest to some persons now living, I give here tlie muster roll 
of a company of cavalry commanded by Col. Brooks while he 
was still only a captain. I greatly regret that there is no date 
to the paper, but it is very old. Some of the names I cannot 
decipher and some are erased: 

List of Capt. Zachary Smith Brooks' Company. 

Zachariah Smith Brooks, Captain; Robert Christie, First 
Lieutenant; George Pope, Second Lieutenant; Joel Abney, 
Cornet; John Abney, Secretary; John Abney, First Sergeant; 
Hardy Matthews, Second Sergeant; Wade Carson, Bugler. 

Cullen Lark, Azariah Abney, William Kenned3% Vincent 
White, Micajah Matthews, Jesse Hart, Joshua Burgess, Sam- 
uel Abney, Andrew Brown, Peterson Boram, John Blalock, 
Monte Towles, Nathan Spragins, Willis Boram, Henry Eth- 
ridge, Elijah Pope, Joseph Buffington, John Barnes, William 
Norris, John Cunningham, Stephen Norris, John Deshass, Na- 
than Norris, John H. Powell, Thomas Reynolds, Jones Willis, 
Thomas Mellon, Simeon Smith, William Nunn, Richard Esk- 
ridge, William Stuart, William Jay, C. Yeheets, Pointer. 

I deeply regret that there is no date to this paper; but judging 
from the names I find and from the quality of the paper itself, 
it must be full eighty, or ninety, or perhaps a hundred years 
old. The George Pope, whose name I find as second lieuten- 
ant, was a brother of Samp.'^on Pope, grandfather of Judge Y. 
J. Pope and Sampson Pope, of Newberry. Robert Christie, 
first lieutenant, was, I think, father of Simeon Christie, some 
time Sheriff of Edgefield District. Joel Abney, cornet, Hved 
on Saluda River, near Higgins' Ferry, and w^as the father of 
Pope and Joel, and the Rev. Mark Abney, who was so well 
known at Edgefield some years ago. He was the father also of 
two daughters, Charlotte, who never married, and Elmina.who 
first married a Dr. Belden. When I first remember seeing her 



48 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

she was a widow. She afterwards married a Methodist minis- 
ter named Rush. She became a widow again and died in 1889 
or 1890, at an advanced age. She was helpless and bedridden 
for several years before her death. Azariah Abney was a 
brother of Joel and lived near him. They married sisters — 
Joel, Elizabeth Pope, and Azariah, Mary — who were sisters of 
George and Sampson Pope. Wade Carson was of that same 
family of Carsons, some of whom are living now not far south 
of Saluda River; and one, Rev. James Carson, is a Baptist 
preacher. There were three John Abneys; one was the father 
of Dr. M. W. Abney, whose home was at Edgefield, and who 
died there about the year 1886. Some of the descendants of 
the others are still living in that section. Of the descendants 
of Hardy Matthews I know nothing, and cannot write with 
certaint}^ though the name Matthews is still known in Edge- 
field, and a citizen of Newberry, E. P. Matthews, went from 
Edgefield and having found great attractions in that county, 
married and remained there. And, in the year 1891, Mr. 
Budd C. Matthews, grandson of a worthy citizen, followed 
the example of E. P. and married in Newberry and deserted 
the land of his birth. 

The names of Boram, Spragins, Buffington, Hart, Cham- 
pion, Deshass, Nunn, Eskridge, and perhaps some others on 
this roll, have disappeared from that part of Edgefield. Of the 
descendants of Captain Smith Brooks, the most celebrated and 
best known is the Hon. Preston S. Brooks, who .served his 
country and State, commanding a company of volunteers during 
the war with Mexico. He was afterwards elected to the Con- 
gress of the United States — was expelled from the House for 
caning Mr. Sumner, and w^as immediately re-elected. Some 
of the Willises and others, still live in the same section, not 
far frcm their ancestral homes. 

STORY OF GEORGE AND SAMPSON POPE. 

I have heard a story of the brothers George and Sampson 
Pope, that may interest the readers of this book. They were 
both neighbors of Gen. Butler, and Sampson was warmly and 
devotedly attached to him. At some time, it appears, that 
George was so unfortunate as to become very angry with 
Butler. In his anger and resentment he spoke very harshly 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 49 

of him, which gave great offense to Sampson. He felt so em- 
bittered by the abusive language George had heaped upon his 
friend Gen. Butler, that it seemed to him they could no longer 
live in the same neighborhood together. So he presented 
George with a fine horse and a purse of five hundred dollars 
and requested him to leave the District and go West, which 
he did. Many years afterwards an acquaintance from Edgefield 
travelling in Alabama, in search of new lands upon which to 
settle, accidentally came across him, remained all night, per- 
haps longer with him; found him prosperous, if not rich; 
very comfortably situated, and an influential local Methodist 
preacher. 

Of the sons of Sampson Pope, George was elected Clerk of 
the Court of Edgefield, and died while in office. He was very 
popular, and more than merely popular, he was beloved by the 
people* Thomas H. made his home in Newberry — was a dis- 
tinguished lawyer — was elected to the Iyegi.slature from that 
county. One of his sons was, in 1891, Attorney General of the 
State. Afterwards Associate Justice, and one was Clerk of the 
Senate; they both having been previously members of the 
Legislature, One son, Thomas H., became a Baptist preacher. 
He was an earnest and good man. He died young, and his 
body rests in Rosemont Cemetery in the town of Newberry. I 
was writing "Within the Vail" and in the act of penning the 
following lines when I was startled by the appearance of a 
funeral procession passing with the body of Rev. Thomas H, 
Pope to the grave. I dropped my pencil and paper and joined 
the procession: 

"The insect of to-day, 
Whose little life is ended in a week. 
Is as immortal as the god-like man; — 
It lives, grows old, and dies within a week; — 
Three score and ten, the limit of man's life, 
Is to eternity of equal date. ' ' 

There are some other names on that roll of whom I never 
knew anything. The very names are now strange in that sec- 
tion of the country. 



5Q HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



ZACHARY SMITH BROOKS. 



Capt. Zachary Smith Brooks I iremember seeing often in 
my youth and early manhood. Zoar Methodist church, Per- 
simmon Creek, as it was then called, was one to which I 
frequently went in my youth. Col. Brooks was a regular 
attendant. For many years, if my memory is not at fault here, 
his was the only carriage in all that part of the country, and 
the only one seen at that meeting house. It then seemed to 
me to be a very grand sort of life to be able to ride to church 
in a two horse carriage with a servant driving. And then when 
the carriage stopped to have him to let the steps down and 
help the master out! I remember the horses were bay, with 
nicked tails, as was the fashion in those days. I believe the 
first time I ever shook hands with Col. Brooks was at a Bap- 
tist camp meeting at or near Mt. Enon. Carriages and bug- 
gies became quite common in that community after awhile and 
the good old fashion of riding horseback to church gradually 
gave way, though it is not entirely abandoned yet. Horseback 
riding has its advantages — it gave young folks such splendid 
opportunities of cutting one another out, which, I dare say, 
the girls enjo5'ed, but some of the boys, especiall}' those who 
were cut out, did not. 

In the same general region of country, not far from Persim- 
mon Creek, settled Crawford Perry and the Merchants, whose 
names are still well known in that community. The Barneses 
also came in at an early day. There was also a Captain John 
Hamilton and his brother Edward. These, however, did not 
come to Edgefield until after the Revolutionary War. Of this 
I am not right sure. Captain Hamilton was an officer in the 
British army, serving under his brother Col. Hamilton, who 
commanded a regiment in the left wing of the army at the 
Battle of Camden and aided greatly in the defeat of the Amer- 
icans. These Hamiltons were Scotch, but they had been liv- 
ing in South Carolina — Lee, in his memoirs, says Norfolk, 
Virginia — engaged in mercantile pursuits before the war, but, 
unfortunately, took the wrong side in the contest, as many 
good men did. At their death they left very little propert}'. I 
know of no descendants. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 51: 

JOURNEY OF WASHINGTON. 

When Washington, in May, 1791, passed through South 
CaroHna from Augusta to CoUimbia, the newly chosen capital 
of the State, his journey lay through the lower part of Edge- 
field. Of this journey Washington says: "lyeft Augusta about 
6 o'clock Saturday, May 21st, and taking leave of the governor 
and the principal gentlemen of the place at the bridge over the 
Savannah River, where they assembled for the purpose, I pro- 
ceeded in company with Colonels Hampton and Taylor and 
Mr. Lithgour, a committee from Columbia, (who had come on 
to meet and conduct me to that place), and a Mr. Jameson, 
from the village of Granby, on my route. Dined at a house 
about twenty miles from Augusta, and lodged at one Odem's 
about twenty miles further." The next day, Sunday, he fode 
about twenty miles to breakfast. Observe, that the Father of 
his country did not hesitate to travel on Sunday; but he foun- 
dered his horse and was compelled, in consequence, to remain 
in Columbia through Tuesday, the 24th, a day longer than he 
had intended. Of this route Washington says: "The whole 
road from Augusta to Columbia is a pine barren of the worst 
sort, being hilly as well as poor. This circumstance, added 
to the distant length of the stages, want of water and the heat 
of the day, foundered one of my horses ver}' badly." His 
route lay by the Pine House and the Ridgs. At every place 
along the road where he could be seen he w-as met by many 
citizens who were anxious to see and do honor to the great 
man. At one of these places he was seen by Mr. Crawford 
Perry, who lived at the time not far from the place now know 
as Perry's Cross Roads. 

I think there is some land along that route the owners of 
which would not be pleased to have it now spoken of as a 
"pine barren of the worst sort." 

ABNEY MEETING HOUSE. 

Before I take a final leave of the Saluda near Higgin's Ferry, 
I may as well mention that a church, or house of worship, free 
to the use of all denominations of Christians, was once built on 
the road about a mile from the ferry, near Joel Abney's, and 
was known as the Abney Meeting House. All vestige and 
trace of it vanished from the earth long ago. In this meeting 



.52 HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI^D. 

House the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, on his journey northwards, 
-once preached. He also preached at Newberry Court House 
the next day or evening, on the same journey. I have in my 
possessson the original subscription list with the names and 
amounts to be paid by each one. The money was to be paid 
to the Trustees on the first day of January, 1803. There are 
twenty-three names on the list of which seven are Abneys. 
Francis Higgins subscribed ten dollars; William Irby five dol- 
lars; David Parkins five; and William Kennedy three dollars. 
The whole amount subscribed was $156.00. Elias Boatner 
^subscribed two dollars. These names, Irby, Parkins, Ken- 
nedy and Boatner, though not strange to the country, vanished 
from that section long ago. At what meeting house the 
people of that section worshiped before the building of this 
house I do not know. Evidently they must have had some 
place, for too many years had elapsed since the first settle- 
ments were planted there for the people to be without divine 
worship and religious instruction. Without churches and 
school houses no people can be considered truly civilized, and 
these always go wherever English speaking people go. 

Before proceeding any further with this history I must beg my 
readers, — if my accounts of the early history and traditions 
•of some sections are fuller and more complete than they are of 
■others, — to believe that of those particular sections I have been 
.able to obtain a greater amount of information, and not that I 
have any special liking or partiality for those sections. I wish 
'.to give a fair and impartial history of the whole county; but 
wha: I do not know, or cannot learn, I cannot write. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 53 

VII. 

ROADS AND FERRIHS AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 

By an Act of the Legislature, passed 22nd of March, 1786, a 
Ferry was established at Parkins' Ford on the Saluda River 
at the mouth of Bush River; one over the Savannah River by 
the name of Lemar's Ferry, in Edgefield County; one at a 
place called Snow Hill, in the County of Edgefield, on the 
Savannah River, to the land opppsite thereto, in the State of 
Georgia; and a road was ordered to be laid out and made the 
nearest and best way from Friday's Ferry on the Congaree, 
where Columbia now is, to the Ridge between the north and 
south forks of the Edisto — thence by the nearest and best way 
to the established ferry on the Savannah River opposite to 
Augusta; and also another road from the said ferry to Beviu's 
Bridge, on Horse Creek; from thence by the best and most 
direct way into the road leading from Fort Moore, (now Ham- 
burg) to the White Ponds. This was partly the route of 
Washington. In 1788 a public road w^as established from 
Anderson's Ferry, on Great Saluda , to Mr. Enoch Grigsby's, 
and from thence to Captain Butler's, and from thence to inter- 
sect the road leading from Juniper to Orangeburg; also a ferry 
on Saluda, at the mouth of Rocky Creek, where the district 
line crosses; — and a road on the south side of the river was 
established from a place known as Weaver's Old Field to the 
said Waters' Ferry; and a ferry having been established in 
1786 and vested in Philemon Waters, but no road leading 
thereto, laid out, a road was established and ordered to be laid 
out from, or near the W^idow West's on the Ninety-Six Road, 
to the said Philemon Waters' Ferr}', and Jacob Pope, Nathan 
Milton and William Boram were commissioners for laying 
out said road. In the same year, 1788, a road was ordered to 
be opened, by and under the direction of the Courts of the 
Counties of Abbeville and Edgefield, twenty-five feet wide, and 
leading the nearest and best way from Whitehall in the County 
of Abbeville to proceed near Sarnuel Anderson's in Cuffee- 
town, from thence to Charles Williams' on Turkey Cieek, 
from thence to John Furman's on the Beaver Dam, from thence 



54 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

to Charles Martin's on Home's Creek, from thence to Seth 
Howard's on Chaver's Creek, and from thence, in the most 
convenient way, to the warehouse opposite the town of Au- 
gusta, — and that Seth Ho ward, Robert Anderson, John Thur- 
mau, James Hargrove and Fields Pardue be the commissioners 
for opening the said road. 

I am thus particular in noticing the opening of roads and the 
establishing of ferries, because these show so clearl)^ the needs 
and wants of the people and their progress in improvements. 
For the same reason we will take note of the building of rail- 
roads and telegraph lines, and of all other public institutions 
which illustrate and meet the demands of the age. 

MOUNT WILLING, S. C. 

The History of Kdgefield, says a friem' — J. C. Edwards — 
who has given me great assistance in the preparation of this 
work, is grouped around four important centres, Mount Wil- 
ling, Old Cambridge, or Ninety-Six, Edgefield Court House 
and Hamburg. 

Henry Mayson, who lived near Good Hope Baptist Church 
for many years and died during the year 1891, at about eighty 
years of age, was born at Ninety-Six. His father's house, in 
which he was born, is the only building of that old time now 
left standing there. After the decay of Cambridge Mr. May- 
5on removed to Hamburg, where he engaged in the mercantile 
business in company with the late Colonel Thomas G. Bacon. 

CATLETT CONNOR. 

Catlett Connor, a very celebrated character in that day, and 
who was elected to the State Senate over Eldred Simkins, 
afterv/ards member of Congress and one of the most eminent 
men in ihe State, lived near Ninety-Six in the house, the resi- 
dence in i8t,.\ of Hon. Calvin W. Kinard. This Mr. Connor was 
a blacksmith, a man of intelligence and of great force of charac- 
ter. Being considerably ambitious and jealous of the influence 
of the Butler and Simkins families in the county, and thinking 
that they were getting rather more ofl[|ces than they were fairly 
entitled to, wrote and published a pamphlet against them. He 
Avas ably .seconded by Mr. Matthew Jones of Ridge Spring, 
father of General James Jones, Captain Lewis Jones of Edge- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 55 

iield, and Major Edward Jones of Trenton; and the father-in- 
law of General Paul Quattlebaum of L-exington; Major Till- 
man Watson of Ridge Spring, and the Honorable William 
Gregg, the founder of Graniteville. Party feeling ran very 
high, so high, indeed, that Mr. Matthew Jones and Colonel 
Smith Brooks had a fight about the election at Mount Willing 
in which, it is said, that Colonel Brooks got the worst of it. 
Connor's gin house, said to be the first one built in Edgefield 
County, was still standing in the winter of 1890-91, and may 
be standing yet. 

TOWNSHIPS OF MOBLEY, NORRIS, &C. 

That part of Edgefield now constituting the townships of 
Mobley, Norris, Rhinehart and Huiett, used to hold their bat- 
talion muster at Mount Willing. At the beginning of the 
Revolutionary War this section was, perhaps, more thickly 
settled than any other part of the county. The original set- 
tlers came mostly, not from the lower counties of the State, 
but from Virginia and the Middle States. Many of them 
were noted for their independence and public spirit. Just 
before the breaking out of the Avar of Independence, there 
was not, perhaps, a happier, more prosperous, contented 
and independent people on the face of the earth, than the 
people of middle Carolina were — than the people of Edgefield 
were. The Indians were gone; much of the soil w^as fertile; 
game abounded in the forests and fish in all the branches, 
creeks and rivers. Taxes were light; so light, indeed, that 
the burden of taxation was not felt at all. He who was not 
able to live well and to grow rich was, indeed, one of nature's 
weaklings. It was, or might have been, equal to the poet's 
dream of life in Arcadia. The young men wooed and vOn the 
fair daughters of the pioneers who lived on <-^^° .ertile shores 
of Cloud's Creek a*^ \ Mttle Saluda, and built home nests of 
their own as cheerful and happy as the very birds that enliv- 
ened the forests around with their many and varied songs. 
But clouds came over the happy scene. 

After the State threw off its allegiance to Great Britain, 
which was several months before the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, by the General Congress at Philadelphia, it was neces- 
sary to have elections to fill all county offices, and also to elect 



^6 HISTORY OF EEGEFIELD. 

members to the General Assembl3^ That election was held 
during the summer of 1776. Colonel Robert Cunningham was 
a candidate for election to the House of Representatives for the 
District of Ninety-Six. Cunningham was an avowed I^oyalist, 
and sent his relative, William Cunningham, afterwards the 
celebrated Bloody Bill, over to Mount Willing to look after 
the interests of that place. While the voting was in progress 
an unfortunate row occurred between the Whigs and the Loy- 
alists, in which Cunningham and many others, on both sides, 
were beaten nearly to death. I think Cunningham was elected. 
Two years afterwards, in 1778, he was elected to the State 
Senate over Colonel James Williams, who was afterwards 
killed at the battle of King's Mountain. 

1775- 

But I must not omit to mention .some events that occurred 
during the year before the Declaration of Independence. In 
this year, 1775, William Henry Drayton and Rev. William 
Tennant were sent by the Governor and Council of Safety into 
the upper parts of the State to conciliate the inhabitants and 
bring them to unite with the people of the low country in. 
resistance to the arbitrary measures of Great Britain. In their 
progress through the up-country we find that Mr. Drayton 
had appointed a meeting to take place at the Ridge on Friday, 
the first day of September, 1775; but learning that Moses Kirk- 
land had, without lawful authority, assembled men in arms in 
the district, and it being evident that, to his treachery against 
the Colon5% he intended to add crimes of a deeper dye and, 
by force of arms, to violate the public peace, he declared that 
it was inexpedient for the meeting to be held, lest it should 
furnisi. ^gcasion for bloodshed. He also declared that all 
persons folio, ''no; Kirkland ajid assembling in arms without 
authority, should be deemed public eneu.'-' to be suppressed 
by the sword. This is the same Kirkland w'hose home was on 
Saluda, and who was captured while on his way to Boston to 
concert measures with General Gage for a general uprising of 
the Cherokees at the same time the attack should be made oh 
Charleston by General Clinton, The British fleet was repulsed; 
the Indians made war as agreed, but the war ended in their 
total defeat and ruin. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. ' 57 

From a letter from William Tenuant to the Council of Safety 
in Charleston, September ist, 1775, we learn that he was then 
on the south side of Saluda, and that Mr. Drayton had just 
gone on to Augusta. This letter was dated at IrOng Cane, in 
Ninety- Six District. Three volunteer companies were formed 
to repel the Indians and to keep the Tories in check. One 
under Major Terry; another under Colonel Pickens; and an- 
other under Captain James McCall. There was great terror 
felt by the well disposed inhabitants of the District. 

On the 1 6th of September, 1775, a treaty of neutrality was 
formed between William Henry Drayton and Colonel Fletchall, 
and on the 21st Mr. Drayton wrote to Colonel Robert Cun- 
ningham, asking him if he considered himself included as a 
party to that treaty. Colonel Cunningham replied that he did 
not consider himself included as a part3\ 

The following is taken from Gibbes' Documentary History 
of the American Revolution: 

A report of the militia and volunteers on duty in the forti- 
fied camp at Ninety-Six on Sunday, the 19th of November, 
1775, under the command of Major Andrew Williamson, by 
order of the Honorable the Provincial Congress: 

NUMBER OF COMPANIES, COMMANDING OFFICERS, OFFI- 
CERS, SERGEANTS, AND PRIVATES 

George Reed— i officer, 2 sergeants, 22 privates. 
Andrew Pickens — 2 officers, 3 sergeants, 35 privates. 
Aaron Smith — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 12 privates. 
Benjamin Tutt — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 29 privates. 
Andrew Hamilton — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 18 privates. 
Thomas Langdon — 2 officers, i sergeant, 9 privates. 
Adam C. Jones — 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 22 privates. 
Matthew Berand — 3 officers, no sergeant, 10 privates. 
Charles Williams — r officer, 2 sergeants, 8 privates. 
Francis Logan — 2 officers, i sergeant, 15 privates. 
Alexander Noble— 2 officers, no sergeant, 2 privates. 
John Anderson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 8 privates. 
James Williams — 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 24 privates. 
Robert McCreer\' — 3 officers, 2 sergeaats, 25 privates. 
John Rodgers — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 15 privates. 
Jacob Colson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 15 privates. 



58 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Hugh Middleton — i officer, no sergeant, 2 privates. 

Francis Singuefield — 2 officers, no sergeant, 15 privates. 

James McCall — 3 officers, 3 sergeants, 48 privates. 

David Hunter — 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 15 privates. 

John Erwin — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 21 privates. 

Robert Anderson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 15 privates. 

Nathaniel Abney — 3 officers, 2 sergeants, 18 privates. 

William Wilson — 2 officers, i sergeant, 13 privates. 

Jos. Hamilton's Artillery — i officer, no sergeant, 16 privates. 

Total: 25 companies, 55 officers, 36 sergeants, 432 privates. 

N. B. — It is supposed that Major Mayson and his thirty- 
seven Rangers ought to be added to this return. William 
Abney, brother of Nathaniel Abney, was one of his officers. 

These men were besieged in a fortified camp at Ninety-Six 
by Joseph Robinson, Patrick Cunningham, and Richard Pearis, 
and a strong force of lyOj^alists under their command. There 
was some fighting between the parties, and some loss was sus- 
tained by both sides. The men under Major Williamson were 
compelled to dig for water within their fort, as they were en- 
tirely cut off from a supply otherwise. 

On the 22nd of November, 1775, a cessation of hostilities 
was agreed upon, a copy of which is here given with a letter 
from Major Mayson to Colonel Thomson enclosing a copy, 
and also giving an account of the affair; also a letter from 
Major Williamson to Mr. Drayton, giving an account of the 
siege, action, and treaty at Ninety-Six. 

The following is taken from Gibb^^' Documentary History: 

Agreement for a cessation of arms between Major Joseph 
Robinson, commander of a body of his majesty's militia, now 
under arms for himself and the troops under his command, of 
the one part; and Major Andrew Williamson and Major James 
Mayson, commanders of the fort at Ninety-Six for themselves 
and the troops therein under the direction of the Provincial 
Congress : 

ist. That hostilities shall immediately cease on both sides. 

2nd. That Major Williamson and Major Mayson shall march 
their men out of the fort and deliver up their swivels. 

3rd. That the fort shall be destroyed flat without damaging 
the houses therein, under the inspection of Captain Patrick 
Cunningham and John Bowie, Esq., and the well filled up. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 59 

4th. That the differences between the people of this District 
and others, disagreeing about the present public measures, 
shall be submitted to his Excellency, our Governor, and the 
Council of Safety, and for that purpose that each party shall 
send dispatches to their superiors — that the dispatches shall be 
sent unsealed and the messenger of each party shall pass un- 
molested. 

5th. That Major Robinson shall withdraw his men over 
Saluda, and there keep them embodied, or disperse them as he 
pleaseth until his Excellency's orders be known, 

6th, That no person of either party shall, in the mean time, 
be molested by the other party, either in going home or other- 
wise. 

7th. Should any reinforcements arrive to Major Williamson 
or Major Mayson, they also shall be bound by this cessation, 
8th. That twenty days shall be allowed for the return of the 
messengers. 

9th, That all prisoners taken by either party since the sec- 
ond day of this instant shall be immediately set at liberty. 

In witness whereof, the parties to these articles have set 
their hands and seals at Ninety-Six this twenty-second day of 
November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and 
in the sixteenth year of his Majesty's reign. 

JOSEPH ROBINSON. 
A. WM. SON. 
JAMES MAYSON. 
Present: 

Patrick Cunningham. 
Richard Pearis. 
Andrew Pickens. 
John Bowie. 

MAJOR MAYSON TO COLONEL THOMPSON. 

Ninety-Six, November 24th, 1775. 
I now enclose you a copy of the cessation of arms agreed 
tipon by Major Williamson and myself the day before yester- 
day, by which you will be able to judge of the terms we are to 
abide by on both sides. The persons chosen to represent the 
matter before the Provincial Congress are Major Williamson, 
John Bowie, and myself, on the behalf of the associators for 



6o HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

this Province; and Major Robinson, Captains Cunningham and 
Bowman, on behalf of the King. We who are appointed are 
to meet here on Monday next, the 27th inst., in order to pro- 
ceed to town to settle this disagreeable business. I shall now 
give you a small narrative of our battle. On Saturday last, 
about i o'clock in the afternoon, we received intelligence that 
all the people assembled in arms over Saluda River, had 
marched over, and encamped about four and a half miles from 
our camps, in number about two thousand. We had, at most, 
not more than five hundred men. At first consultation with 
Major Williamson, we agreed to march and meet the opposite 
party and give them battle; but, upon consideration, we 
thought it most prudent to march all our men to Colonel 
Savages' old field, near Ninety-Six, as our numbers w^ere 
small, compared with the other party, and to fortify the same 
with the rails thereabouts. We arrived there about day break, 
and in about two hours a square of one hundred and eighty- 
five yards was fortified in such a manner as to keep off the 
enemy; but before three days had expired our men began to 
be outrageous for want of bread and water, and we had not 
above sixteen pounds of gun-powder left. On Tuesday last, 
in the afternoon, the enemy held out a flag of truce and sent 
into our lort a messenger with a letter from Major Robinson to 
myself, which was the first beginning of this treaty. We 
have only one man dead since this battle, and eleven wounded; 
some will be mortal by the doctor's opinion. The enemy say 
they had but one man dead, who is a Captain L,uper, and about 
the same number wounded as ours; by the best information 
they have buried at least twenty -seven men, and have as many 
wounded. I am certain I saw three fall at the first fire from 
our side. The swivels are to be delivered up this evening to 
us, although inserted in the articles of cessation as given by us 
up, as agreed to by the head men of the other party. 

JAS. MAYSON. 



Major Williamson to Mr. Drayton, giving an account of the 
siege, action, and treaty at Ninety-six: 

White Hall, Nov. 25th, 1775. 
To the Honorable William Henry Drayton, Esq.: 

Sir: — Your letter by order of Congress, dated the 9th inst., 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 6l 

on the i4tli, by the Express, and am happy to find my past 
conduct met the approbation of your Honor and the Congress. 
It shall always be my study to discharge my duty and the 
trust reposed in me by that respectable body. Before I re- 
ceived your letter I had reinforced Fort Charlotte with fifty- 
two militia and supplied them with provisions, and have since 
given orders for their continuing there one month longer; I 
have also furnished Captain Caldwell with iron for the carri- 
ages to mount the guns. 

I should have had the honor of transmitting you an account 
of my situation before now, but could obtain no certain intelli- 
gence from the opposite party, until the seventeenth instant in 
the night, (notwithstanding I had used all possible endeavors 
and some expense to obtain some knowledge of their strength 
and designs,) when I learned their numbers amounted to at 
least fifteen hundred men, and understood that it was chiefly 
owing to an affidavit made by Captain Richard Pearis, that so 
many men were embodied — a copy whereof I now enclose you, 
as also a copy of the oaths they imposed on those who hap- 
pened to fall into their hands, all of whom they disarmed, ex- 
cept such as were willing to join their party. 

On the eighteenth, in the evening, I received certain infor- 
mation that they were crossing Saluda River on their march 
towards us, and then was joined by Major Mayson, with 
twenty-seven Rangers. I immediately ordered the men under 
arms, and took the resolution of marching to meet them, and 
demanding their intentions, and if they were determined to 
come to action, to be ready before them, and on acquainting 
the officers and men thereof, found them all cheerful and wil- 
ling to proceed, but afterwards reflecting on the fatal conse- 
quences should we have been defeated, proposed in a council 
of war, consisting of Major Mayson and all the captains, to 
march from the camp near Ninety-Six into the cleared ground 
of Colonel Savage's plantation, where we could use our artil- 
lery with advantage, and there fortify our camp till we should 
receive more certain information of their strength (being in 
immediate expectation of being joined by Colonel Thompson 
and the Rangers at least, and also some men from the lower 
part of this regiment and Augusta,) which was unanimously 
approved of, and early next morning we marched to Ninety-Six 



62 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

with all our provision and baggage, and in about three hours 
erected a kind of fortification of old fence rails joined to a barn 
and some out-houses, which, before we had quite completed, 
they had surrounded us with a large body of men with drums 
and colors. I then sent out an officer to demand their inten- 
tion, who, on his return, reported that Major Robinson and 
Mr. Patrick Cunningham refused to have any conference but 
with the commanding officers. I then sent out Major Mayson 
and Mr. Bowie, whom they and Mr. Evan Mcl^aurin met be- 
tween their men and the fort in sight of both, and after about fif- 
teen minutes conference they returned and reported that they 
insisted on our immediately delivering up our arms to them and 
dispersing; which were the only terms they were determined 
to grant us, and that at parting they told them to keep our 
people within the fort, which was the only place where they 
could be safe; and immediately they took two of our people 
just by the fort, before my face, whom I gave orders to retake, 
and a warm engagement ensued, which continued with very 
little intermission from three o'clock in the afternoon of Sun- 
day until Tuesday sunset, when they hung out a white flag 
from the jail and called to us that they wanted to speak to 
the commanding officers. I replied if they wanted to send an 
officer or any message they should be safe. On which they 
sent a messenger carrying a lighted candle and a letter from 
Major Robinson, directed to Colonel Mayson, demanding of us 
as before, to deliver up our arms and disperse, giving us one 
hour's time to return an answer; to which Major Mayson and 
myself jointly answered that we were determined never to re- 
sign our arms, and in about two hours Mr. Bowie, who carried 
our answer, returned with a letter making the same demand, 
and with him Patrick Cunningham, whom I met about fifty 
vards from the gate, where we conversed for some [time, and 
then he came with us into the fort, where, after some time, we 
agreed to have a conference on the morrow, at eight o'clock. 
Accordingly, on Wednesday morning Major Mayson, Captain 
Pickens, Mr. Bowie and myself met with Major Robinson, 
Messrs. Patrick Cunningham, Evan McLaurin and Richard 
Pearis, and agreed to the cessation of hostilities now inclosed 
3'ou, which was lucky for us, as we had not above thirty 
pounds of powder, except what little the men had in their 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 63 

horns; but no scarcity appeared, as no person knew our stock 
but one gentleman and myself. We had thirty-eight barrels 
of flour with four live beeves in the fort, and got ver}- good 
w^ater the third day, after digging upwards of forty feet, so 
that if we had had a sufficiency of powder we could have stood 
a siege for a considerable time. It will appear to your Honor 
b}^ the art'cles that we gave up the swivels; but that was not 
intended either by them or us, for after the articles were agreed 
on and were ready for signing, their people, to the number of 
between three and four hundred, surrounded the house where 
we were and swore if the swivels were not given up they would 
abide by no articles, on which the gentlemen of the opposite 
party declared upon their honor that if we would suffer it to be so 
inserted in the agreement they would return them, which they 
have done, and I have this day sent them to Fort Charlotte. 

I am sorry to acquaint your Honor that some small differ- 
ence arose between Major Ma5'son and me about the command 
of the militia, but flatter myself the service has not suffered 
thereby. To prevent any bad consequences I agreed that if 
he would come to camp I would receive orders from him for 
the militia and volunteers, and give them m^'self until a gen- 
tleman should arrive who would command us both, but when 
I received j-our letter with orders from the Congress, I thought 
myself no longer bound by that agreement, especially when he 
told me he was ordered to attend the Congress; I beg to be 
understood that I don't wish for command, but would wil- 
lingly be of any ser\'ice to my countrj^ that I possibly could. 

I am obliged in justice to the officers and men on this expe- 
dition to declare that their behavior greatly exceeded the most 
sanguine expectation. They did not, during a siege of near 
three days without water, either murmur or complain, and 
cheerfully stood at their posts during three nights without any 
fire, nor was there any symptoms of fear to be seen among 
them. Our loss was very small, owing chiefly to blinds of 
fence rails and straw with some beeves' hides, erected in 
the night behind the men who would othenvise have been 
exposed to the fire of the enemy. We had only thirteen men 
wounded, one of whom is since dead, most of the rest very 
slightly. The loss of the opposite party is said to be consid- 
erable. 



64 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

I have the honor to be, sir, your Honor's most obedient, and 
very humble servant, A. \Vm. Son. 

This is the affair describing which, a resident in Savannah, 
Ga., to a gentleman in London thus writes: 

"A Colonel Williamson, with twelve hundred men, first 
arriving, took possession of a stockade fort, where he was 
instantly besieged by Cunningham with his party. Williamson 
having remained confined for two days in the fort, destitute of 
provisions and water, was forced to sally with his men on the 
third day. But they were attacked by Cunningham in the 
attempt and totally dispersed. The Committee men made so 
good use of their heels that only twenty-five men were killed 
in the flight, for fight there was none." 



HISTORY OF EDGHFIELD. 65 



Vlll. 

In the Spring of 1776 George Mason collected a small com- 
pany of men and marched with them to assist in the defense of 
Charlestown. He had the misfortune to lose a leg at the bat- 
tle of Fort Moultrie, June 28th, 1776. Mr. Mason lived to be 
an old man and met his death by being drowned in Red Bank 
Creek while under the influence of rum or whiskey. 

From the unsuccessful attempt on Fort Moultrie in 1776, to 
the Fall of Charlestown in 1780, matters were generally quiet 
in this part of Edgefield and the country was prosperous. How- 
ever, in 1779, Benjamin Bell raised a company, composed of 
both Whigs and lyoyalists, and joined Gen. Williamson in his 
expedition against the Cherokees. The Indians, in a spirit of 
derision, were accustomed to speak of General Williamson as a 
cow driver. Williamson retorted by calling them cattle. Cap- 
tain Bell was killed in this expedition and I have been in- 
formed that some of his descendants think to this day that he 
was killed in the up-country while looking after his cows. 
Hon. John M. Bell, of Aiken, and the Daniels and Edwardses, 
are worthy descendants of this brave and worthy pioneer. A 
short time before his death he had been digging for silver on 
the south fork of Little Saluda, and his comrades, after their 
return from the expedition against the Cherokees, called it 
Mine Creek, which name it still bears. 

After the Fall of Charlestown and the surrender of Lincoln's 
army, General Williamson, feeling that it was useless to strug- 
gle longer, submitted to the British authority, and took what 
is known as British protection. Very many good men did the 
same; among the number were Major Mayson and Colonel 
Pickens and Le Roy Hammond. Their condition was simply 
that of paroled prisoners, the same as that of the soldiers and 
garrisons in Charlestown. When called upon to take up arms 
by the British authorities, against their countrymen, many 
good Whigs refused and immediately took the field in the 
cause of independence, regarding the call to arms by the Bri- 
tish as a violation of their parole, which it was. General Wil- 
liamson, still regarding the Whig cause as entirely hopeless, 



66 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

did not join them. For this his memory has always rested 
under a shadow, and some have called him a traitor — the 
Benedict Arnold of the South. This judgment is evidently 
entirely too harsh. He never betrayed any trust. He never 
sought any position for the purpose of betraying it. So far as 
I have been able to discover he never did anything worse thau 
weakly j'ielding to what he thought was irresistible pressure. 
He never took up arms against the State. He disbanded his 
command and retired to his home. Ramsay, in his History of 
South Carolina, says nothing of any treason — nor does Mills, 
in his Statistics. Mills puts him in his list of eminent men of 
the upper country, and says nothing of his treason. It is true, 
however, that his act of submission gave great offense and was 
a serious disappointment to many of his subordinate officers, 
some of whom left the State. For the time they were help- 
less and the State was overrun. With all due deference to 
great names and to the opinions of other historians of the State, 
I submit that the proposition made by Governor Rutledge and 
his Council of Safety to General Prevost to surrender the city 
and State and hold them neutral during the war, was about as 
shameful and disgraceful as any proposal well could be; and 
equally as bad morally as General Williamson's course. It is 
said that this was a mere ruse. General Moultrie and the sol- 
diers did not so regard it. 

In this particular part of Edgefield that now includes the 
townships of Mobley, Norris, Rhinehart and Huiett, the Whigs 
were in the majority, but the Tories had the assistance of the 
British, which gave them confidence and the ascendency for 
some time. Four companies of Whigs were raised and organ- 
ized in these townships: One on Mine Creek, commanded by 
Captain Solomon Pope, who lived on what is now known as 
the Jennings Place, about one mile south of Red Bank church; 
one on Cloud's Creek, commanded by Captain Mike Watson. 
The present Rhinehart township was very thinly settled at 
that time, but the men took a very active part in the war. 
Captain James Butler, one of the heroes of Edgefield, lived 
in that township on the place now owned (1891) by Dr. 
John W. Kennerly. The Tory company was commanded 
by Captain Neely Carghill and they lived mostly in the region 
between the Eittle and the Big Saludas. This was the country 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 67 

of Moses Kirkland and the Stewarts, though the Stewarts 
lived a Httle higher up. Captain Butler, with his company, 
was attached to the regiment of Colonel Le Roy Hammond of 
the Savannah side. The Tories under Carghill were subject 
to the orders of Colonel Robert Cunningham. ■ Captain Pope's 
and Captain Watson's companies of Whigs also formed part of 
Le Roy Hammond's regiment. 

SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX. 

In the spring of 178 1, when General Greene invested the 
fort at Ninet3'-Six, there was a general gathering of Whigs to 
his assistance, and of the Tories to re-enforce Colonel Cruger, 
the commander of the fort. Cruger himself was a Tory from 
New York, and all his garrison of five hundred men w^ere 
Tories, tw'o hundred from New York and three hundred from 
South Carolina, mostly from Ninety-Six District. The Tories 
under Carghill went up early in the spring to the assistance of 
Cruger. The Whig companies were ordered up in May. 

General Greene, after besieging the fort for several days, 
hearing of the approach of Lord Rawdon with re-enforcem.ents, 
was compelled either to raise the siege and retire or to en- 
deavor to carry the place by assault. Could he have waited a 
few days longer, the place would have been his, but Lord 
Rawdon was too near; he could not wait. The assault was de- 
termined upon, but failed, and General Greene was compelled 
to retreat. He was pursued by Lord Rawdon across the 
Saluda and until he had crossed the Euoree. At that point 
Lord Rawdon ceased the pursuit, returned, and recrossed the 
Saluda, and sent word to Cruger to abandon Ninety-Six and 
go eastward, south of the Edisto, while he himself passed down 
.south of the Saluda. General Greene, after crossing the 
Enoree, camped for a few days near Broad River. While he 
was here occurred that romantic episode of the war, the send- 
ing of Emily Geiger with dispatches to General Su"Tte-, who 
was Tien on the Wateree. It would please me to tell i at 
.story liere, but I am writing the history of Edgefield, and ' 
have already related it in the Annals of Newberry, and also i-^ 
the hi .ory of the State. Edgefield has its romances, the sto- 
ries of which will be told in due season. 

After Cruger left Ninety-Six, while passii.g down the coun- 



68 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

try, he permitted Carghill's men to visit their homes, and they 
on their way passed the house of Captain Solomon Pope, where 
they found three of Pope's men, Aaron Wever, Joe Allen, and 
Fred Sissan, whom they made prisoners. Having no place of 
confinement after the loss of Ninety-Six, they took them into 
a swamp near by on Mine Creek and put them to death. 
Captain Pope immediately called his company together, has- 
tened to Mount Willing and called on Captain Butler for as- 
sistance. With their united forces they met the troops under 
Carghill in the fork of Cloud's Creek and Little Saluda, where 
a bloody fight ensued, in which Carghill's men were completely 
exterminated. It is said that about half of them were killed 
after they had surrendered, so great was the exasperation of 
the Whigs at their conduct in murdering Pope's men a short 
time before. Only one man was left alive, Henry Etheredge, 
and he was saved by the interposition of Clark Spraggins, they 
being closely connected by marriage. Henry Etheredge 
lived to be over four-score years of age and died on lyittle 
Saluda in November, 1840. Captain Mike Watson followed 
the retreating Cruger as far as Orangeburg, where, or near 
which place, he was killed b}^ the Tories in a severe skirmish. 
After his death Bud Eskridge, a brave but rather rash man, 
was placed in command. 

TORY MARAUDERS. 

Early in the fall of 1781 Pope and Lieutenant William But- 
ler joined General Greene, who was then in the lower part of 
the State, leaving the militia in this part of Edgefield under 
the command of Captain Bud Eskridge. Soon afterwards a 
marauding party of Tories came up from Lexington into the 
neighborhood near Mount Willing, and carried off a consider- 
able amount of booty. The Whigs immediately assembled for 
pursuit. They wanted Captain James Butler, father of Lieu- 
tenant William Butler, who was with General Greene's army 
at the time, to take command. But he begged to be excused, 
on the ground that the hardships he had so recently undergone 
had rendered him unfit to take command of such an expedi- 
tion. He had only recently been released from prison in Char- 
leston, where he had been closely confined ever since the 
British occupation of Ninety-Six, for having refused to take 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 69 

the oath of allegiance and accept British protection. The men 
were willing to excuse him, but his son James, who was quite 
a youth, refused to go with the party unless his father com- 
manded. Captain Butler consented to go, but refused to take 
cammand, and would only go as an adviser. They pursued 
the Royalists, overtook them at Farrar's Spring, in lycxington, 
defeated and dispersed them, and recaptured the horses and 
cattle which they had carried away. On their return home 
elated with their success, contrary to the advice of Captain 
Butler, who urged them to push on without delay, they stopped 
at a tavern on Cloud's Creek kept by a Mr. Turner, to remain 
all night, thinking themselves safe from pursuit. Over confi- 
dent and under the influence of liquor, they neglected to take 
the necessary precaution to post sentinels to guard against 
surprise. 

The party of Tories, whom they had just defeated, formed 
part of Cunningham's band of raiders, then on their way 
through the up country on their last revengeful foray. This 
our party did not know, but they were soon aroused to a 
knowledge of the fact. The first intimation they had of the 
approach of Cunningham was given by Turner's daughter, 
who told young James Butler of his approach from the direc- 
tion of Charlestown'with several hundred men. There were 
in fact about three hundred. The house in which the Whigs 
had taken refuge was quickly surrounded by Cunningham, 
who demanded an unconditional surrender. He said, how- 
ever, that he was willing to receive a communication from 
them. Smallwood Smith was selected by the Whigs to con- 
duct the parley. When he presented himself Cunningham's 
first demand was: "Who are of 3^our party?" When informed 
that young James Butler was one, he determined to give no 
quarter. The conflict then began by James Butler killing a 
man named Stewart. Butler himself was soon killed, and the 
whole party shortly afterwards surrendered. It is said that, 
after the surrender in a formal meeting of the Tory officers, 
Cunningham advised and ordered the massacre of the whole 
party. It was then that Captain James Butler caught up a 
pitchfork, which happened to be lying near, and defended him 
self until his right hand was cut oflf and he was shot dead. 
One man, Bartley Bledsoe, was spared as a compensation shown 



70 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

to Henry Etheredge a few months before. Mrs. Sarah Smith, 
sister of Captain James Butler, with other women, wives, 
mothers, and sisters of the slain, went the next day with their 
negro servants, dug graves, and buried the dead as decently as 
possible. Lot, a negro that belonged to Small wood Smith, 
told Mr. Edwards long afterwards, that he helped to bury 
three men, and that he saw a Tory strutting around, wearing 
a coat of his master's that had been badly cut with swords. 

This butchery occurred during that celebrated raid of Cun- 
ningham's as far up as Hays' Station, in Laurens County, 
which he seemed to have made for the sole purpose of glutting 
a ferocious desire for revenge and getting one last copious 
drink of blood. Such must have been the purpose, for it was 
impossible for the expedition to dj any good towards re-estab- 
lishing the British authority. 

CUNNINGHAM S RAID. 

After this affair Cunningham, on his way up Saluda, devas- 
tated the property of the Whigs as far as he was able. He 
burned the propert}- of Dannett Abney, who was sick at the 
time and unable to make his escape, and slew him in his wife's 
arms. He crossed Saludawith his men at Saluda Old Town 
or Anderson's, and passed through the upper part of what is 
now Newberry County, on his way to the Caldwell Settlement 
and Hays' Station. In the upper part of Newberry he encoun- 
tered a party of twenty men under Captain William Turner, 
who had fortified themselves as well as they were able in a 
strong log house. These men he slew after they had surren- 
dered, and after he had pledged his word to spare their lives. 
At Hays' Station, where there was a general massacre of all 
taken, Cunningham himself used his sword so unsparingly that 
his right arm became so weak and weary that he was scarcely 
able to raise his sword. This was nearly the last of his butch- 
eries and the end of this raid. 

The present writer remembers seeing in his boyhood the 
charred remains of Dannett Abney's corn burned by Cunning- 
ham. He made a clean sweep of everything combustible on 
the place. On Cunningham's way back to Charlestown his 
party encountered, not far from Saluda Old Town, Oliver 
Towles, famous, as the Tories alleged, for stealing their cattle. 



HISl'ORY OF EDGEFIELD. 7 1 

They hung him with a thong cut from the rawhide of a Tory's 
cow, so that he might meet his doom from that which he was 
so fond of hfting. A kind of grim humor not very humorous 
to all the parties concerned. Parties under Pickens, 1,6 Roy 
Hammond, Butler, and others, started in pursuit. Seven fresh 
parties also started. Cunningham's party was broken up — his 
men were scattered and dispersed, many of them killed. Cun- 
ningham escaped, his fine horse carrying him safely through 
all dangers to Charlestown. Twenty-three days after reach- 
ing the city, Ringtail died, ridden to death, and his master 
wept like a child, Bloody Bill as he was, over the dead body of 
his poor friend. He buried him with military honors. 



72 HISTORY OP EEGEFIKLD. 

IX. 

CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY. 

As might naturally be expected, this part of Edgefield was 
in a very deplorable condition at this time and soon after the 
close of the war. A great deal of property had been wantonly 
destroyed — houses' had been burned — negroes stolen and car- 
ried away, and nearly half the men had either been killed or 
died of disease while in camp. I doubt whether any part of 
the State, or of the United States, suffered more from the strife 
between Whig and Tory than did this particulr section of 
Edgefield, the history of which we are just now trying to 
sketch. Cunningham was a man of strong will and of fine in- 
tellectual power, and, aided by such men as Ned Turner and 
the Stewarts, and Carghill and others, who lived on and near 
the Saludas, and, conten iing against such men as the Towleses, 
Butlers, Corle5'S, Edwardses, Brookses, Smiths and others of 
equal will and courage, the strife too often degenerated into 
one of mere personal animosity and bitterness. Men, in these 
intense, concentrated strifes, too often cease to contend for the 
original cau.se of quarrel, and fight and devour each other ani- 
mated by a spirit of pure personal hatred. 

Soon after the Whigs got the upper hand in this section they 
arrested Rev. Mr. Norris, of Cloud's Creek, for preaching the 
doctrine of non-resi.stance, and lodged him in jail at Ninety- 
Six. The imprisonment he, of course, bore with great patience, 
as it was a good opportunity to exemplif)^ in practice what he 
taught so earnestly in preaching. After the war was over the 
State behaved with great magnanimity and forbearance to- 
wards all Tories and mal-contents. In many instances, and to 
large amounts, property, that had been confiscated and was 
already in possession of the State, was restored to the owners 
on condition of the payment of a fine of lo per cent. Cruger, 
on the discharge of his men, many of whom were natives and 
citizens of Ninety-Six District, advised them to remain in the 
State and return to their old homes. Many of them did so, 
and .some came to this part of Edgefield where they lived as 
good citizens, leaving large and respectable families when they 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 73 

died. Many also came over from the Catawba and Broad River 
sections of the State. Prominent among these were William 
and Abram Ferguson, brothers of Colonel Ferguson, who was 
defeated and slain at King's Mountain. These men lie buried 
at Denny's, just across the road in front of the store. They 
once owned the Mickler and Denny plantations. 

In the year 1791, Washington, on his return North from his 
Southern tour, passed through this part of Edgefield. He 
visited Ridge Spring and shook hands with all who came for- 
ward to greet him — indeed, with the most of the ancestors of 
those who are living there now. 

GREAT DEMORALIZATION. 

In the early part of the century there was great demoraliza- 
tion in this part of Edgefield, as well as in other parts of the 
District and the country. The great besetting sin was the too 
free use of whiskey or rum ; and to this ma^' be added their 
usual accompaniments, card-pla5'ing, profanit)' and the disre- 
gard of the Sabbath. Many persons now living can remember 
when there was a grog-shop at every crossroad, and sometimes 
between, when the cross roads were too far apart. Sometime, 
in the early part of the century, M. L. Weems wrote and pub- 
lished a history of Edgefield, in which he gives some account 
of the very deplorable state of morals then existing. He calls 
Edgefield a Pandemonium, which, being literally interpreted, 
means, I suppose, a home of all the devils. I hope it is some 
better now, and that some, at least, of the devils have been 
cast out. This book of Mr. Weems' I have never seen, but, 
judging from his Life of Washington, which I have read, and 
which I have now in my library, I am inclined to think that 
Mr. Weems was somewhat lavish in the use of glowing adjec- 
tives and strong language. 

The state of morals was no dotibt bad enough in all con- 
science, it always is for that matter. About the year 1809, a 
great reformation and revival of religion took place. It is said 
that in that year no less than sixteen hundred persons in Edge- 
field joined the church under the preaching of the celebrated 
Lorenzo Dow. In 181 1 was the great earthquake, the greatest 
ever known in this State, with the exception of the one in 1886. 
Perhaps that also helped to deepen and render more firm the 



74 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

religious convictions of the people; for, certainly, it is a little 
startling and well calculated to impress us with the instability 
of all earthly things to feel the solid earth beneath our feet 
rise and fall and roar and quiver like the unstable waves of the 
sea. 

SETTLERS FROM MARYLAND. 

In or about the year 1805, a considerable number of persons 
came from Maryland and settled not far from the Saluda. 
James Bonham and Jared Edwards were among the number. 
Edwards first came to South Carolina as a soldier in the Mary- 
land line under General Gates and was in the battle of Camden 
when Gates was defeated, August 16, 1780. Not long after he 
came to Edgefield he married Rebecca Bell, youngest daughter 
of Captain Benjamin Bell, who was killed in the campaign 
against the Cherokees in 1779. From this union sprang the 
present large family of Edvvardses. 

James Bonham married Sophia Smith of Mount Willing, a 
lady of rare intelligence and culture and noted for her extra- 
ordinarily fine manners. Governor Milledge L. Bonham was 
their youngest son. 

During the war of 18 12 the State was never invaded and> 
consequently, there were no conflicts of armed forces on land, 
though troops were raised and sent to the coast for defence. 
The troops were commanded by Major General William But- 
ler. His son, George Butler, was commissioned colonel in the 
regular United States Army. I have heard it related that he 
was at home engaged in laying a brick walk from the door of 
the dwelling house to the kitchen door for his mother's benefit, 
when a courier rode up and handed him his commission in the 
army. He .'sprang to his feet and, reading his commission, he 
swore he would work no more that day. Samuel 'Mays was 
brigadier general. 

Before this time there had not been much migration from 
Edgefield to the West ; but the defeat of the Indians by Gen- 
eral Jackson and the driving of them further towards the 
setting sun, opened up vast fertile regions for the occupancy 
of the white man, of which opportunity many in Edgefield 
were not slow to avail themselves. 

About the year 1820 the Legislature made an appropriation 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIEIvD. 75 

of ten thousand dollars to Mrs. Randolph, the daughter of 
Thomas Jefferson. This appropriation caused great dissatis- 
faction in Edgefield and gave offense to many voters and tax 
payers. They construed it as an unlawful use of public money, 
as aiding in keeping afloat a decaying aristocracy, and not as a 
reward, a gift, a public testimonial, for the great sei-vices ren- 
dered to the whole country by her illustrious father, and en- 
tirel}' inadequate to those services. The opposition to the 
measure was led by Catlett Connor, a man of energy and intel- 
ligence, who denounced the appropriation in the strongest 
terras, and those members of the Legi.slature who had voted for 
it. A. P. Butler was one of them, and his popularity received 
a severe wound, but he bided his time and entirely recovered 
and reinstated himself in the affections of the people. He 
retained his popularity to the close of his life. 

Colonel Ryden Grigsby, a brave soldier, died in 1825. He 
lad represented the District in the Legislature. His daughter 
became the wife of Captain Jonathan Wever, a man of great 
wealth, who lived three or four miles north of where the town 
of Johnston now is. The only son of the marriage was the 
somewhat celebrated John R. Wever. He became brigadier- 
general of militia and a member of the Legislature. He was 
a man of free and easy manners and lavish in the use of his 
money. He was wealthy and lived as though he was seized, 
and possessed of the River Pactolus, the waters of which flowed 
full of gold, and the sands at the bottom were not common 
sands but diamonds and gold dust and silver. His property 
slipped through his hands; the stream of Pactolus ran dry; and 
from being a man of great wealth, he descended to very hum- 
ble circumstances in life and died poor. 

Rev. John Manly married a daughter of Zebulon Rudolph, 
of Red Bank, about the year 1825, and remained in Edgefield 
a good many years. The mention of Rudolph recalls to my 
memory an old Edgefield tradition that the celebrated Marshal 
Ney of France, the bravest of the brave, was a Rudolph, born 
on Red Bank, in Edgefield District, and that his name was 
Michael Rudolph; that, in his youth he went to France; en- 
listed in the army; soon became noted for his bravery; was 
made corporal, sergeant, lieutenant. At that period, in the 
history of France when promotion once began it was rapid, 



76 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

and' before many years he rose to the highest rank in the army, 
that of Marshal of France. It is reallj'^ wonderful how such 
traditions begin, and how they hold their own, once started. 
There is, however, this much of truth in the story to build 
upon, Ney's name was Michael. Alison in his History of Eu- 
rope, and Ney's biographers, name the place of his birth, his- 
education, his father, his enlistment, his rise from the ranks, 
&c. It is impossible for him to have been Michael Rudolph 
of Red Bank in Edgefield. But perhaps not, after all, for the 
Rudolphs of Edgefield were of noble German or Alsace origin. 

There is a tradition also, that Jefferson Davis was a native 
of Edgefield. This is a mistake. He was born in Kentucky 
— his mother a native of South Carolina. But Edgefield can 
claim, as a well known and well established fact, that lieuten- 
ant General James lyongstreet, the right hand of Lee during 
the great war of Secession, was born in that district. The place 
of his birth is known as the "old Dent place," and is near the 
line of Aiken and Edgefield, a few hundred yards north of the 
north prong of a small stream known as Fox Creek, some seven 
or eight miles from Augusta, and about four miles east of the 
Savannah River. It is a rough, rugged spot, and has no house 
there now. 

In the good old days there lived on Mine Creek an indus- 
trious man named Travis. His wife bore him no children and 
she was frequently begging her neighbors to make her a pres- 
ent of one; but the neighbors did not feel like parting from 
one of their own in this way. At last, however, her impor- 
tunate prayer was gratified in a wa}- she had not anticipated. 
Going out one morning to the cow pen as usual to milk her 
cows, she found hanging on the bars a little bundle carefully 
done up, which on examination she found containing a fine 
baby boy. She adopted him at once and named him Bar Travis 
from the place where he was found. He grew up a fine, healthy 
boy; became an active, energetic man, an honor to those who 
had adopted and reared him. In due time he married and 
finally settled a place one mile north of Bethlehem church — a 
place lately the home of Hon. W. J. Ready. It was here that 
Colonel William B. Travis, the commander and hero of the 
Alamo, was born in 1809. The grave of Bar Travis is still to 
be seen. William B. Travis emigrated to Alabama and from 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 77 

that State went to take part in the Revolution in Texas and 
was there murdered in the Alamo, March 6, 1836, by order of 
General Santa Anna, with all the other defenders of the place. 
Among them was the celebrated David Crockett, of Tennessee, 
and Colonel Bonham and Colonel Bowie. "Remember the 
Alamo!" was the war-crj' of General Houston at the Battle of 
San Jacinto, where his great victory was gained and Santa Anna 
taken prisoner. A biographical sketch of Colonel Travis will 
be given further on and I hope to be able to say a little more 
about the others also. 

During nullification times Press Bland was quite a prominent 
and influential character in Edgefield, though he never held 
any office nor aspired to any. He was a strong nullifier, and 
being a man of considerable wealth and strong will his influ- 
ence was very decided and submissionists found no favor in his 
eyes. He left several daughters who were much esteemed. I 
have heard it related of Mr. Bland that he would sometimes on 
horseback, booted and spurred, visit Aiken, which in his day 
was a small railroad village. When ready to leave, inspired by 
the potent influence of John Barley Corn, he would mount his 
horse and ride through the town singing at the top of his 
voice : 

Barnwell District, .A.iken town; 

O Lord in mercy do look down! 

The land is poor, the people too; 

If they don't steal what will they do? 

During the war wnth the Seminole Indians in Florida, on the 
call for men from this State, David Denny raised a large com- 
pau}' , of which he was elected captain, and took part in the 
campaign of 1836. Captain Denny was a brave and true man, 
and those who knew him well bear him in honoral^le and kindly 
remembrance. There were also the Huietts living in the same 
section of country. Colonel John Huiett was major during the 
service of the South Carolina \'olunteers in the war in Florida. 
He was afterwards elected to the Legislature. He died in 
Augusta, Ga. His brother, George D. Huiett, I have heard 
mentioned as one of the best men that ever lived in Edgefield. 
He was industrious, honest r.Mid pious. If I am not mistaken 
he served a term of six months as an officer in the Second Reg- 
iment of State troops commanded by Colonel William Fort, 



78 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

attached to the Brigade of General Walker, stationed at Poco- 
taligo in 1863-64. He died a few j-ears ago — (I write this- 
September, 1891,) on the place where he was born in Huiett 
township. 

Very few volunteers went from the lower battalion of the 
Tenth Regiment, South Carolina militia, to the war with Mex- 
ico. They were mostly from the neighborhood of Ninety-Six: 
and the Court House. A Roll will be given of all these, with 
the casualties, as well as of all who entered the Confederate 
service from the County. 

Colonel Reuben Bouknight, a man of much promise and of 
rather more than ordinary ability, was elected to the Legisla- 
ture from this section. He died at the early age of thirty-six. 
Captain B. I. Bauknight, of Emory Chapel, is a son of his, and 
a daughter was married to E. J. Goggans, of Newberry, who, 
after marriage, deserted Newberry and made his home at 
Mount Willing and the neighborhood, where he was living at 
the close of the year 1891 — living 1894. 

We will now pass on into the neighborhood of the Ridge and 
Cloud's Creek. Cloud's Creek, which bears the name of a man 
who once lived there, is a lovel}^ stream. Its source is a half 
dozen small creeks which rise in the Ridge. They unite, form- 
ing Cloud's Creek; flow on through Rhinehart and finally 
mingle with the turbid waters of Eittle Saluda. Cloud's Creek 
has long been noted, and is yet noted for its quarries of fine 
granite and millstones. This part of the Ridge is now Norris 
Township. Before the year 1850, very few men in this sec- 
tion were aspirants for office or .sought popular favor. About 
that time James Cameron, a man of wealth and intelligence, 
became a candidate for the Legislature. He was not elected, 
and soon afterwards he sold his land, upon which he had built 
a fine house and made a beautiful home, and went west. The 
place is now owned by Dr. H. M. Folk. A few 3^ears after- 
wards Wade Holstien was elected, but his own affairs required 
his exclusive attention, he retired from public life. Moses N. 
Holstien is a son of his. Major Tillman Watson was a grand- 
son of Captain Mike Watson of the Revolution, of whom a 
biographical sketch will be found in this volume. He marriecl 
Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of Mr. Matthew Toues:, who lived 
near by. Major Watson was not a man ci much education or 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 79 

reading; but he was an honest and true man; of good natural 
ability, and had the respect and confidence of his neighbors 
and of all who knew him. He was once elected to the State 
Senate over Colonel James Carroll, one of the ablest lawyers 
of the Edgefield Bar and afterwards Chancellor. A good many 
stories illustrating the ignorance of Mr. Watson and showing 
his unfitnej-s for public life, were told about this time. Here 
is one not at all to his discredit as an honest man, however 
much it might show that he was not well posted in public 
affairs. When State Senator he was asked what he thought 
of the Kansas- Nebraska Bill, which was then under discussion 
in the Congress of the United States. He at once replied: 
"Why, sir, if it is a just bill it should be paid." Mr. Watson 
was possessed of abundant wealth and being childless, he left 
it all to the children of his brothers and sisters. 



8o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

X. 

DR. J. C. READY. 

I do not know any more appropriate time and place than the 
present to introduce a brief notice of Dr. John C. Ready, a 
physician of talent and of extensive practice, who lived for 
many years in Edgefield County and who died at his home on 
the Ridge in 1870 or 1871. Dr. Ready was born in Chester 
District in 1802. If I mistake not, I have been told that after 
taking his degree in medicine he practiced for awhile in New- 
berry District, but I may be mistaken in this. The first time 
I ever saw Dr. Ready was in Edgefield County, not far from 
the Saluda River at the muster ground of the Yellow Jacket 
Volunteer Company, during the nullification excitement — the 
year I do not remember. The doctor was then unmarried; a 
new comer into the county, and, being a good talker, of good 
education and of fine intelligence and ambitious of distinction, 
he was called upon to make a speech. There was a barbecue 
on hand, and, without doubt, a good supply of the ardent to 
stimulate the patriotism of the people, which was already glow- 
ing with considerable heat, burning in opposition to the high 
protective tariff measures of Congress. But in spite of our op- 
position; in spite of nullification, a high protective tariff has 
been imposed upon certain classes of goods from that day to 
this, and I suppose will be to the end, for it is the natural dis- 
position of those who have the power to rob and oppress the 
weak. In fact, it may be laid down as a law, fixed and unal- 
terable, tli^ the weak have no rights that the strong are 
bound to respect. We see this principle, or law, established 
and exemplified through all animate and inanimate nature. 
Wherever there is life the strong and vigorous organization 
overshadows, oppresses, and destroj^s the weak. The strong 
man, the strong part}^ the strong nation, is only acting in ac- 
cordance with fixed, unalterable law when robbing and de- 
stroying the weak. But a protective tariff that makes one in- 
dustry pay for the support of another, more than the legiti- 
mate earnings of that other, is robber}^ all the same. Al- 
though it is robbery, yet what will we have? It is manifest 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. Si 

that laws were not made, and cannot be, for the strict adminis- 
tration and securing of positive and absolute justice. How 
can the ends of justice be attained by law when no man is just? 
After all, it is not justice that is desired, but order, which is 
far more important. 

"Order is heaven's first law, be this confest, 
Some are, and must be, greater than the rest." 

Yes, it is order that is the great desideratum, not justice. 
After all, again, the tyrant of to-day; the oppressor is no hap- 
pier nor better off than the oppressed. The autocrat of all the 
Russias is a poor unfortunate wretch, whose nights and days 
are dreams of terror. The wretchedest exile in Siberia is not 
more unhappy than he. A:id, again, how can we have justice 
in this world, when no man w^ants it, but wants, instead, to 
get the upper hand of somebody else. After all, again, the 
oppressor is no happier nor better off than the oppressed. Say 
that he gets all he wants; let him pile up his millions; he can- 
not take them out of this world. They are of the earth and 
must remain on the earth. But he dies and goes to hell, and 
when he gets there he curses himself for being such a damned 
fool while here. Even then, though, he would not change 
himself, but his condition, for he can have no idea of any hap- 
piness, of any joy in life, except that which comes from self- 
love and the gratification of all selfish desires and purposes. 
If he ever hears or thinks of heaven, of a place, or State, 
where men are happy and not wretched like himself, he only 
thinks of those who are there as having been wiser and sharper 
than he, and as having made a better bargain^with somebody. 
That his surroundings are himself, and that ^heaven and hell 
grow out of the persons who are in them, is a thought that it 
is impossible for him to entertain. But a tariff for protection, 
that fosters one industry at the expense of another, is robbery 
for all that, and everyone who receives any benefit from it is a 
robber to that extent. Yes, it is order that the world wants, 
not justice, not right; and let the robbery be done in due and 
ancient form and no complaint should ever be made — that is, 
ought not to be made. Though complaints will be made. 
There are always some restle.ss, dissatisfied persons who cannot 
see, who will not see, rather, that order, the good order and 
welfare of society, requires that things should always remain 



82 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

as they are and never be disturbed. Robbery is robbery never- 
theless, and protective tariff comes under that category. 

It was on this theme that the doctor was holding forth the 
first time I ever saw him. What he said I cannot remember, but 
it was in opposition to the tariff. He was a good speaker, and 
a very good practicing ph)"sician, but he was entirely unfit to 
be a surgeon, on account of a weakness and unsteadiness of 
nerve. I saw him once try to remove a small object from one 
of the nostrils of a child. His hand shook and trembled so 
much that it was impossible for him to insert the forceps into 
the nostril, and he had to give it up and send the child awa}'. 
The object was soon afterwards removed by some one by the 
simple process of pushing it back into the mouth. 

During the great religious revival that swept over the coun- 
try from 1830 to 1836, Dr. Ready became converted under the 
preaching of Barnes, Hodges, and Worthington; joined the 
church, and was himself quite a zealous Baptist preacher for 
awhile. He married Miss Eliza Rook, of Laurens County, an 
estimable and excellent lad3\ After marriage he settled at 
Mount Enon and built him a good house \\ here he lived for a 
number of years, prospering and accumulating property. He 
then sold his property and removed to the Ridge. His son 
William J. Ready and some others of his children were born 
at Mount Enon. I remember William as a boy, but do not 
think I ever saw him after his father moved to the Ridge. 

He, too, is gone, after an honorable career; having been an 
officer in service during the War of Secession, and afterwards 
elected to the Hou.se of Representatives and State Senator. 
His estimable widow, in a few months after his death, also de- 
parted this life. 

THAT YELLOW JACKET COMPANY. 

I think this company should have more notice than the men- 
tion of its name, as it was certainly one of the most unique 
institutions of the kind that ever was devised. It was a rifle 
company and met on the old Ninety-Six Road, at the Sum- 
mers' Place, not far from Perry's Cross Roads, and near a plan- 
tation belonging to Colonel Smith Brooks. It was at this place 
that I first .saw Colonel Brooks and heard him say something 
to the people about having been an old Revolutionary .soldier. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 83" 

This was during the period of the nullification excitement. 
The uniform of the Yellow Jacket Company was certainly 
one of the funniest ever devised by the ingenuity of man; but 
it had one exceeding great virtue — there was no excess of 
drapery about it. It was handy. The company was called 
the Yellow Jacket Company because the uniform was of a yel- 
lowish hue, nankeen or copperas, and cotton at that. The 
coat was a roundabout jacket, with the funniest little frizzled 
up duck's tail that I ever saw to a jacket, somewhat like that 
which race jockey boys have to their coats. The people I saw 
there, even all the boys that were with me that day when I 
heard Dr. Read}- speak are all gone. My elder brother, Giles, 
was there. He was killed at the Battle of Buena Vista, in 
Mexico, when General Taylor gained his great victory that 
made him President of the United States. My uncle Daniel 
Abney was there — gone long ago. James Black, gone more 
than forty years ago. Mike Long — gone. I do not remember 
that I saw George Spearman that da)^. He is living yet. His 
mother was a Nunn — first married Abney— the grandfather of 
A. P. Coleman, who lives near the old cross-road — when a 
widow married Spearman, the father of George and Nancy, 
who are both now li\'ing. Nancy Spearman married Lewis 
Sample, the father of Frank and Sam. His widow lived and 
died near the place on which she was born, which was within 
a few hundred yards of the Yellow Jacket muster ground. At 
this same barbecue, of which I have been telling, I remember 
seeing Alexander Stewart, a scion of that Tory family of the 
Revolution, the same who preserved as sacred relics the red 
coat and other things worn by some of his people during that 
time. Aleck Stewart was himself of rather unsavory reputa- 
tion, but I received treatment from him that day that warmed 
my heart towards him and kindled a grateful feeling that never 
has died out and never can. I was a very bashful and diffi- 
dent boy, and have always been a very bashful and diffident 
man, though my friends might not know it, and might not 
believe it should I tell them, but it is true, nevertheless. Alex- 
ander Stewart seeing my diffidence and backwardness, took me 
up to the table, waited upon me and gave me whatever I 
wanted, and as much as I wanted to eat. I have never forgot- 
ten it. I am afraid of boys. It seems to me, sometimes, that 



84 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

a great many boys try to be smart, and make themselves too 
smart. They are not all so. Some are too diffident and back- 
ward, and in such cases if you can give a little kindly en- 
couragement, be it ever so little, you do a world of good and 
make to yourselves lasting friends. Girls always receive at- 
tention, it is their due; but boys often fail to receive the small 
sweet courtesies, when they would be of great and lasting 
benefit to them. 

A FIGHT AT EDGEFIELD. 

As I am now writing of events that occurred in the midst of 
Nullification times, the Yellow Jacket Company, being a red- 
hot nullification rifle company, I may as well relate an inci- 
dent that occurred at Edgefield Court House, in which a young 
Irishman or Scotchman, named Archibald Armstrong, who, I 
think, was a member of the company, was an interested party. 
One public day at Edgefield, whether Court-week or Sale-day, 
not now remembered, Armstrong was there, a jolly, rollicking 
young giant, ready for a fight or a frolic. In that day and 
time at Edgefield Court House one did not have to go far to 
find either a fight or a frolic. I am glad to say it is now a 
seat of culture and refinement. The crowd that day was de- 
cidedly a nullification crowd, and decidedly in earnest, as Edge- 
field crowds, in town or count}' , always are. There maj' have 
been some anti-nullifiers or submi.ssionists there, but if there 
were any they found it necessarj' to lay low and keep dark. 
This crowd, seeing that Armstrong was a stranger, and some 
of them taking it into their heads that he was a submissionist, 
picked a quarrel with him and soon got into a fight. They put 
one of their best men forward, but after a few rounds he was 
used up and rendered unfit for further service. They tried 
him with another, and another, but he still remained master of 
the field and the situation. He then told them to come on one 
at a time and he would tan out the whole crowd if they wished; 
but they had enough, and no other one was found willing to 
tackle him. Armstrong had a friend present whom they all 
knew and respected; but until he spoke they did not know he 
was Armstrong's friend, as he had remained very quiet and 
was looking on to see fair play. He told them that Armstrong 
was as good and true a nullifier as any of them; that he knew 



HISTORY OF HDGEFIELD. 85 

him well and could vouch for him. This friend was James 
Boulware, of Big Creek, whom I knew well in my boj-hood 
and earh' manhood. He moved to Alabama, and long after- 
wards I met him once at Edgefield Court House when he had 
passed the meridian of life; but he stood straight as an arrow 
and his step was firm. His beard was white, as white as snow, 
whiter than my own is now, and hung down upon his breast. 
His e^-es were bright, his face was ruddy and full of health, 
and I thought him the finest looking man I had ever seen. 
Mr. William P. Butler of Edgefield, when I saw him last, a 
long while ago, was a very handsome man, but Mr. Boulware 
was larger, and there was a strength and vigor in his appear- 
ance, that impressed me so much that I still bear him in mind 
as the finest looking man I have ever yet .seen. His brother, 
Humphrey Boulware, was Sheriff of Edgefield for some years. 
His grandmother was a Rutherford, of the patriotic family of 
Colonel Rutherford of the Revolution. She sleeps her last 
sleep at Red Bank Baptist Church, of which she was a member. 



86 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XI. 

A REMARKABLE PHENOMENON. 

Just before the great and decisive act of Secession, in the 
Fall of i860, as I have been told it was, but my memory v/ould 
place it a 5'ear or two earlier, in 1859, I think. I did not wit- 
nCvSs the phenomenon, but was told of it the next morning. I 
was absent from home in lyaurens County, and the display oc- 
curred after the usual hour of retiring to sleep. It was a won- 
derful display of the Aurora Borealis. "I awoke," says my 
informant, "with a great thirst, being a little boy at the time, 
when my mother, of blessed memory, took me to the piazza to 
get some water. The whole element appeared to be a solid 
sheet of blood, and the reflection from the sky caused a pale 
3'ellow light to shine upon the earth. Many others saw it, and 
some say they heard music also. The old men called them 
'war lights,' and said such things occurred to their fathers 
just before the Revolution." I did not see this magnificent 
disylay of the heavenly light, but remember hearing it spoken 
of as ominous of coming trouble. Comets were once so re- 
garded and eclipses of the sun, and all unusual and remarka- 
able displays of natural phenomena. Indeed, a great display 
of the Aurora Borealis is enough to strike any beholder with 
feelings of awe, and the unlearned with terror. It is a phe- 
nomenon which the most learned and scientific men of the age 
have never been able to explain satisfactoril}-. It is too hard 
for .science. It seems to be one of those unexplainable phe- 
nomena. Similar phenomena occurred about ten years later, 
beginning in August and continuing almost nightly, until far 
into the spring following. Some of the auroras were exceed- 
ingly beautiful, rising in the northeast in great pillars of red- 
dish light, passing westward across the pole and sinking in the 
northwest. As for the music, I know not whether an}^ was 
heard then, but that music is sometimes heard in the atmos- 
phere above us without any visible producing cause, I know; 
but whether it be an echo from music at a distance, or whether 
it be strains descending from supernal sources, I do not know. 
One day at the burial of a child in Rosemont Cemetery, New- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 87 

berry, officiating minister Rev. W. D. Kirkland, of the Metho- 
dist Church, I heard distinctly a strain of music, coming, it 
seemed to me, from far above, yet floating around and near. 
It might have been — I know not which — a response to the 
hymn just sung at the grave, or a welcome from angelic choirs 
to the soul of the child. Be its source what it may, I heard it. 
Some years afterwards a friend told me that riding by the 
same cemetery one evening near sunset, when everything was 
quiet and still around, he heard similar strains floating in the 
air far above him. Is it superstition to believe that there is 
another and a better world very near to this, and that some- 
times, whether by eye or by ear, or by some other sense, we 
may have perception of its nearness? 

SECESSION AT MOUNT WILLING. 

When the State seceded, December 20th, 1S60, the cannon 
of rejoicing that were fired at Hamburg v/ere heard as far as 
Mount Willing, and even beyond. The cannon fired at Char- 
leston, during the bombardment of that city by the P^ederals, 
were heard very nearly as far as Ninety-Six; but they were of 
much larger calibre than those at Hamburg. A few days after 
the passage of the Ordinance of Secession, the lower battalion 
of the Tenth Regiment vras assembled at Mount Willing and a 
company of volunteers was formed to go into service. David 
Denny, the same man who commanded a company during the 
Seminole war, was elected captain. This day will always be 
remembered in the history of that battalion. A beautiful flag, 
attached to a rope stretched from the top of the storehouse to 
the limb of a large oak, was waving in the air. The ladies, 
carried away by the enthusiasm of the time, waved their hand- 
kerchiefs and cheered their friends and relatives as thej' vol- 
unteered; while the band kept up a continual strain of music; 
and the militia officers paraded and swore at a fearful rate, as 
fully as terribly as ever our army did in Flanders, Aunt Fannie 
Smith, a free colored woman, who sold ginger-cakes and beer 
at musters, did a great business that day. Thomas L. Smith 
was the Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of militia. When a 
hundred men had enlisted and enrolled themselves. Miss 
lyizzie Dozier, who, after the close of the war, married Cap- 
tain Charlton, presented them their flag. J. C. McElro}^ re- 



:88 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

ceived it and assured the ladies that he would carry it from the 
Potomac to the Rio Grande, if necessary. He did his best 
during the war. He carried it beyond the Potomac, and his 
heroic dust now lies beneath the soil, or mingled with it, of 
one of the famous battle fields of Maryland. Several other 
companies were formed and went to the front. The names, as 
far as it is possible to procure them, of all, both officers and 
men, who went from the count}^ with the casualties, will be 
given before I close. 

It is impossible in this book, nor does it come within its 
scope, to give a histor}' of the War of Secession; but some in- 
cidents and anecdotes will doubtless be given before the work 
is done. Many brave deeds were performed, many lives were 
lost, and many cripples were made during that great contest; 
but the only question finally settled and decided was the rela- 
tive strength and power of endurance of the parties. The 
great political question as to the relations existing between the 
States was left precisely in statu quo ante bcUum. Slavery? 
That was a mere accident or incident of the quarrel, and not 
the question — not a question at issue between the parties. The 
real question at issue was: Whether a State, once independent, 
having formed a union with other independent States, could 
sever that union at will. We affirmed; the\' denied. The 
other side fought for the union, solely and simply, under any 
conditions. We fought for the freedom and independence of 
the States as States, without regard to any particular forms of 
government, whether Democratic, Republican, or Aristocratic. 
We were Greeks; the}' were Romans, who fought for empire. 
And as Rome conquered Greece in ancient days, so, in modern 
times, the Empire has conquered and the Greek States have 
perished. Let us see to it that Greek culture, Greek art, 
Greek thought, and Greek poetr}', and Greek inspiration, have 
not perished, though the States have. In time we may re- 
conquer the empire, as Greece through her letters at last con- 
quered Rome. 

Mr. Lincoln cared no more for the freedom of the negro 
than Mr. Davis did. His Emancipation Proclamation, which 
has been so much lauded by his admirers, was issued only as a 
war measure, in the hope that it would weaken the defences of 
the South by exciting insurrections, insubordination, and en- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 89 

couraging runaways from the Southern fields. It expressly 
excepted from its operation all States and parts of States not in 
rebellion against the government of the United States, and 
.slaves in all such States and parts of States were to remain in 
slavery because their masters were loyal. 

Men went to the froi.t full of enthusiasm, leaving wives and 
children at home. In a little while it was impossible to go to 
church, or to any gathering of people, without seeing wounded 
soldiers at home on furlough, with arm in a sling or limping 
on crutches. Every mail brought news of a neighbor or a 
friend being wounded or killed in battle. The most distin- 
guished officers that were killed from the section of country 
embraced in the lower battalion of the Tenth Regiment, 
were Lieutenants J. R. Boukuight, W. J. Denny, J. M. 
Daniel, L,evi Crouch, W. A. Rutland, and Hiram Holstein; 
Captain Norris and Major John Crowder. These were all 
brave and patriotic men. No doubt there were many brave 
deeds done by private soldiers, as well as by the officers, that 
ought to be recorded; and the pen of this scribe would move 
gladly and swiftl}^ in recording them, but no record was made 
of them at the time, and they have passed into the sum of all, 
lost, but not lost, as a drop of water in the sea. 

Old soldiers still often speak of the unrivalled fun and cour- 
age of lyoss Padget, a youth of twenty, who was killed in Vir- 
ginia just before the surrender of I,ee's army. The men now 
living who were most prominent in the war from the lower 
battalion, are Captain P. B. Waters, now a lawyer at Edge- 
field; James Mitchell, A. P. West, A. P. Boukuight, James 
Boatwright, Henry Vanzandt, S. E. Ready, and Colonel E. J. 
Goggans. 

This war gave freedom to the negroes, but it settled no 
question of right or wrong. It did not even settle the right or 
wrong of slavery. It only settled the question wdiether it 
should be or not be — that is the question. If African slavery 
was wrong, it was wrong whether triumphant or not. That 
it was wrong, and a very great wrong, I never doubted from 
the time I was old enough to read and to think for myself. 
But I was a slave holder until the close of the war, and would 
be one even now, I suppose, if the institution had continued 
till to-day undisturbed. We did not fight for slavery, in it- 



90 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

self considered — that was a mere side issue — as lyincoln and 
others never fought against it per se, but only as a means of 
hurting us. We fought for the States as States; for the right 
to pursue our own course, our own policy, to manage our own 
affairs, undisturbed and uninterfered with. We were Greeks, 
animated by the old horoic spirit of Greece, that led us to fix 
our affection upon our own State, and make it first and fore- 
most, the glory of the world. The northern sentiment was 
Roman, with Lincoln as the head and chief exponent. That 
sentiment regarded the States as nothing, save as integral 
parts of the empire which centered at Washington, as the Ro- 
man Empire did at Rome. This question the war did not set- 
tle, and could not. It settled no question except the relative 
strength of the parties to the contest. Rebellion ! He who 
uses that word as applicable to the people of the South is him- 
self a tyrant or an ignoramus. We are a conquered people. 
Is it possible for a conquered people to love that power which 
conquered them? Is it possible for us to love a union which is 
forced upon us? We may acquiesce; we may faithfully do our 
duty as subject citizens; but that love, which ought to animate 
the heart and soul of every true citizen, must be wanting. The 
true union is free and not forced. I feel now as I have always 
felt, that the strongest bond of union possible to be devised, is 
for each and every State to have the acceded right and to be at 
perfect liberty to leave the union, with or without cause, when- 
ever it might choose to do so. If the United States in i860, or 
1861, had said to South Carolina: "Well, you have left us; all 
right. You think j'ou can get along without us; we know 
that we can do very well without you. Go in peace; let us 
live in peace." If this had been the ruling sentiment of the 
United States, South Carolina would have become the laugh- 
ing stock of the world, and would soon have been knocking at 
the door for readmission into the Union. Suppose that now 
any State had the conceded right to leave the Union at once, 
if it saw proper, the State, of course, bearing its proper and 
proportionate share of the existing public debt. What could 
the State l.ope to gain by it? Nothing short of madness could 
induce any State to do it. But when the Union is one of 
force, when the chain that binds the States is one of iron or 
of steel, fast riveted, and not the golden fetter of good will and 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 9I 

love and good fellowship, it galls and hurts, no matter how 
lightly and loosely and easily it may hang upon the limbs. It 
is a fetter imposed by force, and from that very fact becomes 
hateful, because the wearer knows that whenever the will of 
the master requires, it may be drawn so tight as to crush and 
destroy all freedom of motion. But I cannot doubt that a 
Divine Providence is in all human affairs, and that, in the War 
of Secession, God permitted the South to be beaten because 
slavery existed there, and that He wanted to destroy. 

Soon after the war desperate white men, some of whom, it 
is said, had belonged to the Federal army, got in the Saluda 
country, and, there and elsewhere, committed robberies and 
other desperate deeds, that would do honor to the brigands of 
Spain, or Italy, or the James Brothers, or to the celebrated 
John A. Murrell. Major Hodge and a man named Thomas 
were leaders of these desperadoes. Thomas I saw once at a 
party, a social gathering in Edgefield County, in 1865, and 
again in my own bookstore in Newberr}^ in the 3'ear 1866. He 
had bargained with a tobacconist from North Carolina, for the 
purchase of a wagon load of tobacco, with the wagon and team, 
to be delivered at a certain specified time and place; and they 
came into the store together to draw up the contract or agree- 
ment in writing. Soon after the tobacconist heard some 
rumors in regard to the reputation of Thomas and he did not 
appear and deliver the tobacco, &c. , at the time and place 
agreed — probably from fear of being robbed and murdered. It 
was rumored afterwards that Thomas was hanged for some 
crime, and that Hodge was captured and hanged by the Fed- 
eral garrison at Augusta. This period of lawlessness lasted, 
perhaps longer than it Avould have done if the government of 
the State had not passed entirely out of the hands of the native 
white men, citizens, as one of the results of the war. David 
Graham, a full-blooded negro, who lived near Red Bank, was 
elected to the Legislature several times during the period 
from 1868. And nearly all the representatives and county 
officers were negroes. 

MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 

Let us now notice some of the ministers of the gospel and 
teachers of the youth of this part of Edgefield. Rev. Henry 



92 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

Herlong was a native of Orangeburg, though his home for 
many years was in Edgefield near the Little Saluda River. He 
was a good farmer as well as a good preacher and good man. 
He was a Methodist preacher, but, I believe, never an itiner- 
ant. He was the founder of Emory Chapel. I learned some- 
thing from him once about the mixture of soils and earths, 
which is worth remembering. Just below the public road and 
on the east or right bank of Little Saluda, he had a small piece, 
of bottom land so crawfishy that it was worthless and unpro- 
ductive. In course of time red clay from a hillside in the road 
washed down upon it in considerable quantities, and the qual- 
ity of the soil became entirely changed and produced heavy 
crops of corn. He then made further experiments and found 
the red clay upon such places to be most excellent manure. 
Mr. Herlong was the father of Rev. Vastine Herlong, whom I 
used to see frequently and to know well. Spann's was named 
in honor of Rev. Henry Spann. Revs. Michael Rauch, Paul 
Derrick, Emanuel Caughman, and A. M. Lindler have all, at 
different times, preached the Word to the lyUtheran churches 
in this part of Edgefield. Their names will probably again 
appear in a sketch of the Lutheran Church. 

Revs. Mark Abney, '^George Bell, A. P. Norris, and Abner 
Asbil were all acceptable ministers amongst the Baptists here. 
Mark Abney and George Bell, this writer, many years ago, 
knew well. Mr. Bell was a 3'oung man grown at Mount Enon 
School in 1835, when the writer was a little boy. Being near- 
sighted or having some defect in his eyes, he wore glasses, 
which we little fellows thought very singular. He became a 
very excellent business man, as well as acceptable preacher 
and good citizen. 

At the time of the ministrations of the Revs. Herlong and 
Spann in this part of Edgefield, the people called Methodists 
were not very numerous; but they were, and are, so active and 
aggressive, and withal, so sympathetic, that they have in- 
creased greatly in numbers. 

EDUCATION. 

I have already written something on the subject of educa- 
tion, but it is never out of order to give additional information, 
as the schoolmaster certainly occupies one of the most useful 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 93 

and responsible positions in the world. There have been some 
very excellent teachers in the Lower Battalion. David Pugh, 
a graduate of Cambridge University, in England, taught for 
many years a large school near Mount Willing. Dr. John ' 
Barrett, another highly cultivated Englishman, spent a great 
part of his life as a teacher. Many of the prominent men of 
Edgefield for several generations , were students of theirs. It 
was the custom in those days for schoolmasters to work, like 
other people, the year round and all day, Saturday excepted. 
Now it is not thought necessar5\ Possibly ours is the better 
plan. It was quite common also in those days for educated 
men and women from the North to seek and find situations 
here as teachers. It is not so common now. The change in 
our domestic institutions has produced of necessity a very great 
change in our home life as well. At this time we have Train- 
ing Schools for teachers, and many men, women and girls take 
pride in fitting themselves for doing the most perfect work 
possible, and our schools are taught mostly by trained teach- 
ers, "native and to the manner torn." This is as it should be. 

WATSON, BATES AND OTHERS. 

Colonel Sam Watson was one of the most prominent charac- 
ters of this section from 1850 to i860. He lived where his son 
P. B. Watson now resides. He accumulated a very handsome 
property and died in 1873, about 57 years of age, leaving a 
large and respectable family. Captain Tom Bates was another 
prominent man at this time. His home was near the beautiful 
town of Batesburg, in fact, the place was named in honor of 
his family. Captain Bates married a daughter of Wade Hol- 
stien. He was quite wealthy. Alonzo Bates is his only son. 
William Padgett was also a worthy and prominent citizen of 
this section. He never sought nor held any public position. 
Indeed it may be said of the Padgetts that they are remark- 
able for their love of private life. William Padgett's wife was 
Margaret Denny, sister of Colonel David Denny, of whom men- 
tion has already been made. He was quite wealthy before the 
war but at its close he was not rich. For honesty, industry, and 
general integrity of character he had few superiors. Rev. Mah- 
lon D. Padgett, of Mount Willing, and Mr. David Padgett, of 
the Ridge, are his sons. One of the loveliest characters I ever 



94 IIISTOKV Ol* KDCUCFIKI.D. 

knew was Mr. Malilon Padgett, wliosc home is near Tiviitoii — 
hale and erect nt the age of four score years — a man with a 
small l)()dy hut a large head and large heart. I knew him first 
;U school in the year 1S35. We were students together in the 
same class in l^nglish (iranunar, of which Rev. George Bell 
was also a member. Mahlon is still living and I hope that I 
may meet him again. The last time I ever saw him was at 
h/lgefield Court House, many years ago, during or just 
before the war, I do not now remember. 

Mount Willing can boast of the largest and smallest man in 
the county. Wesley Corle>', the large man, is sixty-five years 
old and weighs 350 pounds. Lewis Suddath is about sixt}', 
and weighs about 45 or 50 potmds. I ha\-e seen Mr. vSuddath 
several times — the last time was, I think, in the year 1S85 or 
1SS6, at O'Neall's church in Kdgefield, near his home. Mr. 
Cork')- 1 have never seen. 

DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT. 

Many >ears ago the question of the division of the District 
was frecpientl)' discussed, being thought by many to be too 
large. The idea then was to cut off the Tenth Regiment. 
Hon. George U. Tillman, then a young, ambitious man — he 
has since lost his youth but not his ambition — took a leading 
pari in the movement. The District has since been divided, but 
not in the way then desired. Beech I.sland, including Ham- 
burg, has been cut off and joined to a part of Barnwell, mak- 
ing the new County of Aiken. The old desire for division on 
this side seems to have evaporated. It may be, too, that the 
election of such good citizens from this side to the Legislature, 
as D. B. Peurifoy, Rev. C. P. Boozer, J. B. Suddath, W. J. 
Ready, has done much to cure the dissatisfaction. 

Since this was written the District has been divided, and now 
we have Saluda County. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 95 



XII. 

MOUNT WILLING-ORIGIN OF THE NAME 

Jacob Smith first settled Mount Willing. He had the old 
English custom of giving names to every farm and separate 
place he owned. He lived first at the place now (1891) occu- 
pied by Mr. Frank Boyd, which he called Flat Grove. His 
house was near the creek, near the old Smith and Bonliam 
grave-3'ard. This place w^as very sickly at that time, which 
caused Mr. Smith to remove to a place which he called Wine 
Hall, where Mr. William Myrick now lives. Just before the 
Revolutionary War Mr. Smith built a tavern in the woods on 
the east side of Richland Creek. Soon afterwards a large 
number of men met at the tavern to see about opening some 
roads through the country. When they were through with 
the business of the meeting and all had agreed upon the loca- 
tion of the roads to be cut — the same, by the way, that cross 
there now — the Chairman or President of the meeting called 
out: "Let's Mount!" to which was replied: "Willing!" Mr. 
Smith, who was present, caught the words, and gave the 
place the name of Mount Willing, which name it has borne 
ever since. Jacob Smith married Sarah Butler, an aunt of 
General William Butler. Cunningham, while on his great 
raid, .stopped there in order to refresh his men and also to put 
Smith to death, but a Tory begged Cunningham to allow Mr. 
Smith a few moments to pray, which request was granted. 
The Tory then ran to the house of Russell Wilson, who livefi 
only a short distance from the store, north, and got Mrs. 
Carghile to help intercede for his life. Mrs. Carghile was 
Wilson's sister, and the widow of Captain Neely Carghile, who 
had been lately killed by the Whigs. She told Cunningham 
of Smith's great kindness to the widows and orphans of the 
murdered Tories, which saved his life. Jacob Smith was a 
man of great wealth, and many are the stories told of his 
liberality to the distressed families of both Whigs and Tories 
during the Revolution. He died in 1805 at about seventy 
3'ears of age, and was buried at Flat Grove. Mr. Smith left a 
son, Luke, and a daughter, Sophia. Luke manied Elizabeth 



96 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Loman, by whom he had two children, Jacob B. Smith and 
the exemplary wife of Dr. Rhyden G. Mays. Sophia married 
Captain James Bonham, a young widower from Maryland. 
Captain Bonham lived near Red Bank and died in 1B15, at the 
age of thirty-nine. His oldest daughter, Sallie, married John 
Lipscomb; Julia married Dr. Bowie. His oldest son, Malachi, 
emigrated to Texas; James also went there, and was one of the 
victims of the massacre at the Alamo. Milledge was the 
youngest, and was regarded as a very pious youth; in fact, he 
used to preach sometimes. He read law; was a successful 
practitioner; was made Solicitor of his circuit, his home being 
at Edgefield; was a member of Congress when the State se- 
ceded; became Brigadier-General in the Confederate service; 
took an active part and rendered efficient service at the first 
battle of Manassas or Bull Run; was elected Governor succeed- 
ing Pickens, and held that ofiice for two years during the war. 
After the war he held different public positions, and died in 
the service of the State. Mrs. Bonham, his mother, lived with 
him at the court house during the last years of her life. She 
was a lady of extraordinary merit. When she died the Gov- 
ernor had her buried by the side of his father at Flat Grove. 

General William Butler had another aunt, Susan Butler, 
who married Enoch Grigsby. Mr. Grigsby lived near Mount 
Willing on the plantation occupied in 1891 by Dr. Unger. 
He left one son. Colonel Rhyden Grigsby, and four daughters. 
One of these daughters married Captain Jonathan Wever; one 
General Samuel Mays, of Big Saluda; one Lod Hill, who lived 
near Richardsonville in the Revolution; Thomas Butler, a 
brother of General Butler, married another. Lod Hill left 
two sons, Theophilus and Henry; and a daughter, who mar- 
ried Captain Bryant Dean, the father of Colonel A. B. Dean 
and Captain Theophilus Dean, Henry Hill was the father of 
Dr. Lovett Hill, of Ward, and the grandfather of John B. 
Hill, School Commissioner in 1891. Did he not also have a 
son named James? Theophilus Hill was the father of Lod 
Hill and Rhyden Hill, who are now dead; and also of Henry 
Hill, of Johnston; Dr. Walter Hill, of the court house; James 
R. Hill, of Richardsonville; Ben Hill, Dyson's; and a son 
Thomas, who was killed in the War of Secession. Captain 
OflSe Dean, just mentioned, was living in 189 1 at Mount Enon, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 97 

in the house built by Dr. J. C. Reacl)^ Many j^ears ago Cap- 
tain Dean was tax collector for the District, and ma}- also have 
held other positions. 

Colonel Rhyden Grigsby and Colonel Simpson Wilson mar- 
ried sisters, the Misses Mann'ng. Their brother, Luke, a 
very celebrated characte • in his day, is said to have killed 
three men in South Carolina, for which he was tried and found 
guilty of murder, but was reprieved each time. He finally 
went to Alabama, and there having killed a man, he was 
tried, found guilty of murder, and suffered the extreme penalty 
of the law. Colonel Grigsby died of consumption and his sons 
removed to Alabama. A Mr. Herbert, and John and Thomas 
Waters married hi daughters. 

MAD BILL ABNEY. 

Colonel Wilson and his son-in-law, Mark McKann, removed 
to Florida. Colonel Wilson was very wealth}-, and had John 
Crouder and Mad Bill Abney employed to help superintend 
his business. Crouder went with him to Florida, but Abney 
remained at Mount W^illing, then owned by Wilson, with a 
large number of negroes. The yellow fever raged in Florida 
from 1830 to 1832, with fatal effect. McKann and all his 
family died of it. Colonel Wilson sent Crouder back to ar- 
range one of his plantations, so that he could move his family 
back to Edgefield. C.'ouder, immediately after his return, 
married Ellen Edwards, and just one month after his marriage 
died of yellow fever. The next fall his widow gave birth to a 
son, who was called John A. Crouder. More will be said of 
him after awhile. Crouder, Wilson, and McKann died in the 
year 1832. Colonel W'ilson died in Florida, and his family all 
returned to Edgefield. 

In the fall of 1832 Abney married the widow Stevens, a 
daughter of Colonel Wilson. A young gentleman from New- 
berry married another at the same time. Mrs. Stevens, who 
was famous for her beauty, had gone to Florida, where her 
husband died, leaving her a widow with three little girls. A 
dashing young colonel, who wore a gaudy uniform, made her 
an offer of marriage; but she told him if a lady like herself, 
with three little daughters, ever married again, she ougnt to 
try and get a man like Mr. Abney, who knew how to make 



98 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

corn and pota-oes. Mr. Abney heard of the remark and after- 
wards courted and married her. It is said that when the time 
of the marriage came on and Mr. Abney went to the house tO 
be married, his modesty overcame him in the yard and he 
could proceed no further. He found it impossible to go into 
the hoiise. His mother-in-law discovering his predicament, 
and sympa'hizing wi'h him in h's embarrassment, walked out 
to him and said very kindly: "Come in, Billy, 'he girls are 
waiting." This relieved him of his embarrassment. Mr. Abney 
afterwards sold the Mount Willing place to Jacob B. Smith, a 
grandson of the original settler, and removed to Alabama, 
where he prospered and all went well with him. The epithet 
of "Mad Bill" was applied .o him on account of the grumness 
of his countenance, and not on account of any harsline::s, nor 
violence, nor irritability of temper, Ihis William Abney was 
a son of Azariah Abney and grandson of Captain Nathaniel 
Abn;y and Isabella Madison, who came fiom Virginia aboat 
the year 1761. I never saw Mad Bill, nor his brother Hardy. 
I was at their father's house at the funeral of their sister. Miss 
Elizabeth Abney, but I do not remember i.eeing them there. 
The futieral sermon was preached b}^ Dr. John Bolger, a great 
Baptist preacher at thai time, living on Turkey or Mountain 
Creek, or somewhere in that region of country. Dr. Bolger 
was a connection of the family, he having married a w '.dow 
Wills, a sister of Azariah Abney, and who was ?lso my own 
great-grandmother. Dr. Bolger was English by birth, and 
came to this country in his youth or boyhood. He raised a 
family here iu Edgefield, but afer his death they all moved 
away and, I think. Dr. Bolger has no descendants now living 
in Edgefield. Newberry's much respected citizen, Warren G. 
Peterson, is a nephew of Mad Bill Abney. So is Joel Abney, 
of Saluda. 

Jacob B. Smith married Matilda Youngblood, of Edgefield 
village. He was elected Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of 
South Carolina Militia, and also to the Eeglslature. He died 
in 1853, when only a little over fifty years of age. After his 
death the Mount passed into the possession of strangers, after 
having been owned by some of the family for nearly a hundred 
years. 

Feeling a deep interest in the welfare of my old comrades of 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 99 

Company D, Nineteenth South Carolina Vohmteers, I have 
learned, from inquiry, that Bi'^y Reese, a litter-bearer, who 
helped to carry me off the field when I was wounded, and 
Lieutenant J. W. Denny, who became Captain of the company 
before the close, have died since the war. Sam. Edwards, Bas 
Peterson, James Crouch, and John G egory, who was also a 
litter-becire'-, were living in 1S91. There were others whose 
names I cannot now recall. Sam. Edwards was wounded 
twice at Atlanta and taken prisoner. One of his legs was am- 
putated. Mv brother. Sergeant Thomas Chapman, w'.io him- 
self was mortally woui'ded at Atlanta, ^ent word to Sam. Ed- 
ward's father that Sam. was mortally w^ounded; but he sur- 
vived and remained in prison at Camp Chase, Ohio, until re- 
leased in he summer of 1865. J. D. Smith Livingston lives 
at Newberry. 

JOHN A. CROUDER. 

John A. C"ouder helped to raise and organize Company D 
of the Nineteenth Regiment. He first belonged to a company 
commanded by Robert Meriwether, which went against Fort 
Sumter and then to Virginia. When *he time of his enlistment 
expired he returned home and assisted Ira Cromley to raise 
Company D. Cromley was elected Captain; Crouder, ist Lieu- 
tenant; E. B. Forrest, 2nd; and Isaac Edwards, 3rd. After a 
few months, Cromley, Forrest, and Edwan's,' who were too 
old for serv^ice. resigned and retired, and Crouder was pro- 
moted to be Captain. When the regiment was reorganized at 
Corinth, Miss., Crouder was elected Major, which position he 
held until his death, March 12th, 1S63, from the effects of a 
wound received at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His 
sword is now in the possession of his kinsman, John Crouder 
Edwards, who also bears his name — "and these," says Mr, 
Edwards, "are about all the evidence that any such man ever 
existed." I understand that John Crouder Edwards is a 
bachelor — not personally acquainted with him. He ought to 
marry and • ransmit the sword of his dead kinsman, who was a 
brave and honorable man, to his son, and son's son of coming 
generations, as a precious relic of the horoic, though dark days 
of the War of Secession. 

Thomas G. Clemson, son-in-law of John C. Calhouu, once 



lOO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

lived in Coleman Township, near Red Bank. Mr. Calhoun 
often visited Mrs. Clemson, and while on these visits it was 
that I had the good fortune to see Mr. Calhoun several times; 
and also Mr. Clemson. It was during the time that Mr. Cal- 
houn's Dahlonega gold mines were at their best. Mr. Clem- 
son was telling how rich the mines were, and by way of illus- 
tration he took ofif an old fur cap which he was wearing, and 
said that on one occasion he brought up from the mine in 
which they were digging five hundred dollars worth of gold in 
that cap. After Mr. Calhoun's death in 1850, Mr. Clemson 
sold his farm in Edgefield to Colonel Alfred Deering, and 
moved to Pendleton. By will, Mr. Clemson gave to the State 
a portion of that property in Pendleton for the purpose of 
establishing an Agricultural College, which has been named 
Clemson College in honor of the founder. 

William Gregg, the builder of Graniteville, was a native of 
West Virginia, and came to Edgefield when he was about 
twenty years old. He married Marina Jones, of Ridge Spring. 
His brother-in-law. General James Jones, and Colonel John 
Bauskett had built a cotton factory at Vaucluse and tried to 
run and operate it with slave labor. Their success was not 
great, the laborers not having the requisite skill and expert- 
ness. Mr. Gregg concluded to use white laborers at Granite- 
ville, and succeeded in his enterprise. 

In 1858, Mr. Gregg and Colonel James Carroll, afterwards 
one of the chancellors of the State, opposed each other for the 
State Senate. The contest was very warm and spirited, and 
resulted in the election of Mr. Carroll. About this time there 
Avas some blockade running — importing negroes from Africa — 
an importation which had a few friends, and very few in Edge- 
field, but which gave great offence to many persons. This 
writer saw one young fellow belonging to a man who was liv- 
ing near Kichardsonville, but who was preparing to move into 
Georgia, who was said to have been brought from Africa. He 
had not learned to speak English. It is said, but with how 
much truth I do not know, that Mr. William Spires, of Ham- 
burg, who was then Sheriff, had charge of the District of 
Edgefield for the introduction of Africans. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. lOl 

DR. WILLIAM MOBLEY. 

In 1854, Dr. William Mobley was elected to the I^egislature. 
His grandfather, Jeremiah Mobley, came to Edgefield just 
after the Revolutionary War from North Carolina, and settled 
near Fruit Hill. His father, John Mobley, married I^ucretia 
Simkins. They left three sons, William, Eldred, and John. 
William was born in I S09. He first married Harriet Goode, 
of Centre Springs. She died soon. He then married Susan- 
nah Neal, daughter of Hugh Neal, a wealthy gentleman of 
Irish descent. Dr. Mobley was a deacon of Red Bank Church 
for a long time. He was a man of very fine appearance, pleas- 
ing manner, and remarkable for his kindness to all classes of 
persons; traits of character which made him very popular both 
as neighbor and physician. He was first elected to the Legis- 
lature in 1S54, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Mr. 
John C. Allen, of Fruit Hill, He was re-elected several times, 
and was a member at the time of his death in October, 1866. 



I02 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XIII. 

WESTSIDE. 

Let us give our attention for awhile to that part of Edge- 
field known as the Westside, lying on the Savannah. 

The history of Edgefield on the side bordering on the Sa- 
vannah, especially in the upper portion, is perhaps not so full 
of stirring incidents as some other sections of the county, but 
no part can properly be said to be without the material of 
which history is made. Man is the same in all ages and every- 
where, and wherever man is, he is making history — history 
which, indeed, may never be wiitten, but which, if written, 
might be found full of absorbing and eternal interest. The 
record of the events now transpiring in any one day in South 
Carolina, would furnish a history, the darker pages of which 
would make the angels weep. We are always doing those acts, 
the record of which constitutes history. Some years are much 
more pregnant and fruitful in material than others; and some 
sections more than others; but no year, no day, and no section 
is entirely barren of material. 

Since the earliest times the Savannah side of Edgefield has 
been tributary to Augusta, Ga. , and its rival towns, Harris- 
burg and Springfield, on the Georgia side, with Campbellton 
opposite and a little above on the Carolina side. These vil- 
lages, in the earlier times, were rivals, and owing to the grow- 
ing wealth of the surrounding country, where, besides the 
traffic in pelts, hides, and other Indian products, tobacco soon 
became a staple product. In those primitive days the making 
of tobacco hogsheads in Augusta formed a considerable indus- 
try. These were very different from the tobacco hogsheads of 
recent times, and were necessarily made very much stronger 
then than now, as these receptacles of the tobacco crop were 
also the vehicles by means of which it w^as conveyed to market. 
This was effected by attaching a pair of extemporized shafts to 
each head of the hogshead, converting it into a huge roller, to 
which an animal was attached by these shafts, and the crop 
thus rolled to market. 

As these rival villages were all at the head of navigation on 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 103 

ilie Savannah, and all situated at the falls formed by the gran- 
ite formation, which traverses a greater portioa of the two 
States, each seemed to possess equal chances ot reaping the 
beneiit of such natural advantages, and possibly becoming the 
chief iafant city of these growing provinces. 

Canipbellton must have enjoyed the advantage of being the 
chief market town of Westside, Edgefield, as several roads 
and Indian trails centred at that point. Even at this time, 
1892, the remains of an old trail leading up the Carolina bank 
of the Savannah are plainly visible. This trail came up the 
river to Stevens' C.'eek, which it crossed at a shoal near its 
confluence — later at a point a short distance above, known as 
the free ferry — both long since abandoned. After crossing 
Stevens' Creek it ascended to the ridge, which, by a succes- 
cession of abrupt and broken hills, forms an uneven back-bone 
of lands about five miles in width, which divides these two 
streams for a considerable distance north, when it gradually 
subsides into a more even, but still hilly portion, marked by a 
pine belt twenty miles above. This trail describes almost a 
straight line to a point on the river knowni as Fort Hill, about 
two miles below the crossing known as Scott's Ferry, and 
where is still to be seen the remains of an old but diminutive 
earth-work, which served as a means of protection against the 
savages for trappers and traders, who either inhabited or 
visited this remote region. This ancient and almost obliterated 
structure stands upon a projecting point of ridge at the foot of 
the hills, and overlooking the river and the intervening low- 
lands bordering on it. While the soil is for the most part thin 
and rocky, the bottoms are quite fertile, and produce, even 
now, fine crops with fair cultiv^ation. 

As Canipbellton declined in glory and wealth, and the neces- 
sity for a market on this side the river grew, Hamburg, the 
offspring of the enterprise and industry of an energetic and 
eccentric German named Shultz, came up out of the marshes 
and swamps sca>'cely two miles below. By the indomitable 
pluck and push of this remarkable man, aided by the advan- 
tages of locality, Hamburg, at one time, was no mean rival of 
Augusta, who had at this time sw^allowed up Springfield and 
utterly eclipsed Harrisburg in the cotton and grocery trade of 
all upper Carolina. 



I04 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

With the opening of the famous Augusta canal, which 
effectually killed the river trade, navigation by pole boats on 
the upper Savannah being both difficult and dangerous over 
the shoals below the locks at the head of the canal, and by the 
building not many years after of the Greenville and Columbia 
Railroad, Hamburg was doomed. Soon after the beginning of 
this decline, the South Carolina Railroad, which till then ter- 
minated at Hamburg, purchased a site for depots in Augusta, 
and extended its track across the river, thus sealing the fate 
of Hamburg, and giving great gain and new life to her rival. 
Yet, notwithstanding these fatal blows to the prosperity of 
Henry Shultz's hopes and life work, Hamburg continued, even 
after the close of the Confederate War, to do a small cotton 
business. Reconstruction, with its hells and horrors, crushed 
out the last lingering hopes in the hearts of the property 
holders, and reached its climax in the now historic riot of '76, 
which culminated in the death of one of Edgefield's brightest 
and best boys, the young, the gallant, and fearless Thos. Mc- 
Kie Meriwether, who fell at the foot of the pier of the Colum- 
bia and Augusta bridge on that dark day. 

Campbellton, Edgefield, and even the State of South Caro- 
lina, is adorned by another name made bright by the gallant 
deeds of its bearer, who had his home there, or at a place 
called New Richmond hardby, and who occupies a prominent 
place in the history of our State — Ee Roy Hammond, or, as he 
was better known. Captain Ee Roy Hammond, whose descend- 
ants still own the lands of New Richmond, and have figured 
in the civil as well as the military annals of Edgefield. Else- 
where in this book will be found a biographical sketch of Ee 
Roy Hammond, with some account of his Revolutionary ser- 
vices. 

Between Campbellton and the mouth of Stevens' Creek 
about five miles above Campbellton, were extensive and profit- 
able shad fisheries, which gave employment and afforded reve- 
nue to the land holders on either side of the river. So abun- 
dant was the catch in the shad season that eight large roe shad 
would scarcely fetch a dollar, and in consequence a great por- 
tion of the^season's catch was pickled and sent away to other 
markets. Round fish, such as suckers and red-horses, were a 
drug, and furnished food for hogs. Such was the providence 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. IO5 

of the early settlers of this rich and teeming portion of Edge- 
field. 

Ascending the river over a broken and hilly country poorly 
adapted to agriculture, yet occupied by men who in the face of 
these adverse circumstances have been successful and prosper- 
ous farmers; and crossing Stevens' Creek, a more level and 
more productive country comes into view. As population in- 
creased and the products of the soil became more abundant, 
other and more convenient avenues of trade became necessary. 
About the year 1840, Delaughter, an enterprising citizen of 
the fork, conceived the idea of building a covered bridge across 
the creek two miles above its mouth, and obtained a charter 
for a new road, which afforded improved facilities for reaching 
market, but never realized his hopes of gaining wealth from 
tolls collected. This property soon passed into the hands of 
Colonel John Eauskett, a distinguished lawyer of the Edgefield 
bar, and who also owned a very considerable landed estate in 
the fork between the creek and river, and was long after 
known as Bauskett's bridge. This bridge went to decay and 
was never rebuilt, and necessarily caused the abandonment of 
the road. Eong before the building of this bridge a road had 
been established by way of a ford at a shoal two miles higher 
up the creek, at which two brothers, George and Allen Ander- 
son, had erected a grist mill, which, for a long series of years, 
furnished grist, for a large portion of the neighboring country. 
These worthy men were most exemplary citizens, and have 
handed down a name for honesty, sobriety, and truth unex- 
celled by any and equalled by few names which now or have 
ever adorned the annals of this portion of Edgefield. 

After passing out of the hands of the Andersons, this mill 
property fell into the hands of Captain Robt. Meriwether, a 
member of another quite prominent family, which figures in 
the history of Georgia, as well as in that of this State. He it 
was that gave material aid in establishing a school at Curryton, 
a village five miles from the mill, and named in honor of Joel 
Curry, who donated the lands, and otherwise aided in estab- 
lishing two academies, male and femsle, the former under the 
management of a distinguished teacher, James Leslie. 

This Captain Meriwether, when quite young, went as a 
soldier to the Seminole War, and after his return established 



Io6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

himself as a successful planter in Marlinstowu, whence he re- 
moved to the Ware place ia the fork, only going to Curryton 
to educate his children and build up a school. In company 
with Dr. Hugh A. Shaw, who was another founder and trustee 
of the Curryton Schcols, and a popular and successful practi- 
tioner of medicine in that community, he remodeled and' re- 
built the Anderson mill at consic'erable cost, but which still 
stands as a work of the energy, enterpr'se, and industry of 
these two men. 

While writing of Captain Meriwether, it may be mentioned 
that he was the first who rai.sed a company and went to Char- 
leston after Secession and aided with Gregg's regiment, of 
■which his company formed a part, in the reduction of Fort 
Sumter. He afteivvards went to Virginia with that famous 
regiment, and returned home after ihe e::piration of the term 
of eiilistment (six months) to form another company. Later 
on he re-entered the sei Ace and surrendered as Major of the 
Reserves. 

Mortified at defeat, he resolved never to pay tribute to the 
victors; he sold out his possessions and with his family sailed 
to Brazil, where he, at last accounts, was still living, and en- 
gaged with his sons in coffee growing. 

There is a wagon road running through Edgefield. to Ham- 
burg and Augusta called the Martintown road. Some short 
distance above the old Collier place on this road many j-ears 
ago there stood almost in the edge of the road the remains of 
an old rock wall, evidently the foundation and forming the 
cellar of a barn or store house, probably the lattc, which I 
suppose was the centre of Martintown, and possibly the home 
of the Martins of the Revolution (there were eight brothers), 
the eldest of whom, William Martin, was Captain of ArLillery, 
and was killed at the siege of Augusta. Quite a number, 
perhaps forty years ago, a family — at least two brothers, 
Roberc and Charles — an elder brother, George, having previ- 
ously died, left the neighborhood of Horn's Creek Church and 
went to Florida. Five or six miles lower down Horn's Creek, 
near the Josia Sanborn place, there is an old plantation called 
the Martin place, but I can trace them no further back. The 
trading post located near Hamburg was probably just above 
and at over about Campbelltown, which is about opposite 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 107 

Harasburg on the Georgia side, and once the rival of Augusta. 
Even within the past derade many Indian rehcs have been 
picked up about the site of old Campbellown, owned now, I 
believe, by the Hammonds, descendants of Colonel Le Roy 
Hammond of Revolutionary fame, who lived there also. The 
trail heretofore alluded to is doubtless the one mentioned as 
extending up the river on the Carolina side to another trading 
post, called Fort Hill, at which point, I have been told, the 
Savannah could be forded at low wj-ter, and where 1here was 
a ferry or other crossing Tor the inhabitants of GeOxgiawho- 
desired to avail themselve^' of th's tr^de centre. 

The author and compiler of I his . history inquired of Dr. 
McKie about Robert M. McKie, of Tennes.-.ee; to this inquiry 
he replied: "In tracing this family which nnie from the South 
of Scoi^land and se.tled in Virginia, probably no g' eat way from 
Charlottesville, and afterwards to Horse Creek, below Ham- 
burg, in this State, it has always be^n the rul'^ I0 ask how it 
is spelled. If 'McKie' be the way, further inquiry may be 
made, othei vvise not. Some of this family removed to Ala- 
bama, some to Mississippi, and possibl}^ afterwards to Texas, 
but none to Tennessee 1 hat we know of. The Revolul ionary 
ancestor left Horse Creek and went to Augusta with his 
family for protection during hostilities, while he, Daniel Mc- 
Kie, was in the field with the partisans of his sec'ion. The 
tradition is that he was a fearless fighter, though once cap- 
tured by the Tories and condemned to die on the gallows ex- 
temporized by placing a grape vine over a swinging limb on a 
neignboring tree and around his neck, mounted on his horse, 
which was to be whipped out from under him. Fortunately, 
another gang came up with one in authority who knew the 
prisoner, and ordered him cut down and released. They had 
been friends before hostilities. After the cessation of hostili- 
ties this patriot left Augusta and settled on Stevens' Creek, 
five miles west of Martintown, where some of his descendants 
still live." You will excuse this mention, as the family has 
since filled a very humble place in the history of Edgefield, 
being tillers of the soil, fond of retirement — almost to seclu- 
sion — and never seeking place or preferment, and often shun- 
ning both. The name is little known beyond the limits of 
their immediate neighborhood. Thomas J. McKie, M. D., 



Io8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

was surgeon of the Tenth Regiment South Carolina Vohui- 
teers. True, these lands are, and have been, in their posses- 
sion during three generations; but that seems to be a peculiar 
characteristic with the inhabitants of this strip of country. 
The Craftons have been here for generations, the Meriwethers, 
the Nixons, and the Middletons, with others, have held their 
forefathers' lands with a tenacity and fixedness not observed 
in other sections. The Nixons have a most honorable record. 
The father came here and settled near Clark's Hill (named 
from a blacksmith who had a shop and a tract of land just be- 
low), the site of the depot now bearing that name. Mr. 
Thomas Nixon, called Esquire Nixon, was a public spirited 
citizen, as well as a useful one. He began here as a school 
teacher and farmer. Was a superintendent of public works 
and represented Edgefield District in the Legislature. He 
died in the prime of life, having contracted, as was then sup- 
posed, a fever from a brother-in-law who had recently returned 
from Charleston, where yellow fever was then epidemic— suf- 
fering a similar affection. 

When war with Mexico was declared, and the famous Pal- 
metto Regiment was being made up, two of Thomas Nixon's 
sons, Jefferson P. and Thomas, volunteered along with Wm. 
E. Middleton. son of Major John Middleton, and Joseph Meri- 
wether, since Auditor for Edgefield County, and son of Thos. 
Meriwether, one of the founders of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 
joined Captain Preston S. Brooks' company, which formed 
part of that regiment. Thomas died at or near Vera Cruz. 
Jefferson P. went through to the City of Mexico, distinguish- 
ing himself for gallantry on many fields, and especially at 
Chapultepec, where he behaved with such conspicuous bravery 
as to gain promotion, and after returning to his home, where 
the Hon. G. D. Tillman now lives, a silver pitcher, suitably 
engraved, was given him as an acknowledgment of the high 
appreciation accorded him by his fellow-citizens to his deeds of 
glory. 

The Tillman family, the name of which occupies so conspicu- 
ous a place in State records of to-day, does not belong properly 
to this locality. The father of the two prominent representa- 
tives of the family to-day lived on Chavis' Creek, on the old 
Stage road leading from Edgefield Court House to Hamburg. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. IO9 

G. D. Tillman, the Congressman, now living at Clark's Hill, r 
came here after his marriage to Miss Margaret Jones, a lady of 
wealth, whose parents resided two miles above Clark's Hill 
and owned extensive tracts of land and nnmerous slaves. 

Middleton, a name familiar to the history of the country, is 
also linked intimately with the annals of the west side of Edge- 
field. It has been suggested that the land tenure idea which 
has prevailed so uniformly in this locality is due to the fact 
that its settlers came chiefly from Maryland and Virginia 
strongly imbued with ideas which cling to their descendants. 
The Middletons illustrated this. Hugh Middleton came here 
from Maryland and bought large bodies of land, and small ones 
as well — the custom in those days being to exchange lands for 
cattle. A man with small holdings and desirous of "going 
west," would trade forty, eighty, or more acres of land, which 
he cared not to occupy, for a cow and calf, which he would 
take with him. Thus he, Mr. Middleton, widely extended 
his possessions, having much cattle and a goodly number, 
nearly a hundred slaves. 

He settled near the Savannah River, three miles southwest 
from Clark's Hill depot, where his remains now lie buried. 
Mention is made of him in the history of the country and par- 
ticularly how he defeated a body of the enemy at Briar Creek. 
His son John, Major Middleton, was also a distinguished man 
of this community. He in early life went to the African coast 
and brought back a number of natives, some of whom lived 
out their days in the possession of his sons. He suffered ship- 
wreck on the home vo3'age during which he took a distaste to 
rice, upon which he lived for a long while, and could never 
after be induced to eat rice. He was a most upright and 
honest man; his decision of a matter between neighbors was 
received without question. He also represented his people in 
the Legislature. He died at a ripe old age, about 84, honored 
and respected by all. 

At one time the Wares were large landholders of this section. 
Captain Robert Ware had a then elegant residence near Wood- 
lawn, say four hundred yards distant, on an eminence, perhaps 
the highest in this section, where he must have lived in ease 
and elegance if not in luxury. Large orchards, brick walks, 
a distillery and other evidences of wealth and prosperity, were 



no HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

noticeable not many years ago. This family, the males of it 
at least, have died out and none here now bear the name. 

John Pur}^, the founder of the ferry across the Savannah, 
a mile below the present railrocd bridge of the A. & K. Rail- 
road, who lived on the opposite side of the river, was quite a 
landholder in Edgefield. The importance of this highway may 
be better appreciated when we learn that it opened a thorough- 
fare by a shorter and more practical route to Augusta. Early 
in the history of our country it became the accepted line to the 
head of navigation on the Savannah for all the northern and 
western portion of our State, and a large section of Western 
North Carolina, besidesmany droves of horses, mules and, hogs, 
from Kentucky and Tennessee, seeking a market in that portion 
of the country tributary to Augusta. So heavy was this trade 
and travel at one time that in the busy season of the year, the 
Fall months, a string of wagons a quarter of a mile in length 
might be seen on the river bank waiting their time to cross. 
In this line of wagons might be found representatives of Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and ever}^ district in the 
northern and western portions of our own State. Then it was 
that Augusta supplied with salt, sugar, coffee, rice and almost 
every other article of commerce, this vast interior section; and 
it was transferred in road wagons, much of it finding its way 
by this Ferry. At one time the mails were transported by 
means of stages over this Fury's ferry route on to Willington, 
in Abbeville District, near to which the distinguished McDuffie 
had his Cherry Hill house. The opening of the Delaughter 
bridge across Stevens' Creek, at a point two or three miles 
above its mouth, was the means of turning a large portion of 
this traffic to Hambvirg, which was then a great cotton mart, 
besides supplying its full quota of groceries to the up-country, 
and correspondingly lessening the trade of Augusta, which the 
opening of the Canal soon restored to her. The completion of 
the A. & K. Road, after the building of the Greenville and 
Columbia Railroad, has directed this trade to other points, 
almost entirely broken up wagon travel and necessarily making 
the once important highway— so important to Augusta's pros- 
perity indeed, that the authorities in Augusta at one time 
thought it worth while to lease and free this ferry, a neighbor- 
hood convenience. This property is still in the familj'. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. Ill 

In looking over old land papers many strange and since for- 
gotten names appear. Besides this the now almost obliterated 
remains of old settlements are to be seen in many out of the 
way places all over this section of Edgefield. The names of 
Crookshank, Gardner, Stringer, Baker, Thomas, Boyd, Mc- 
Daniel, (who kept a grog shop less than two hundred feet 
away from this spot), Groves, Car?Dn, a Baptist preacher, 
Loya, another Baptist preacher, and many others once lived here. 

About three miles south of Martintown and about two miles 
east of Stevens' Creek is a spot in the midst of a dense wood 
known as the Methodist meeting house. 

On the dirt road, two miles below Clark's Hill depot, and 
one mile below Clark's Hill proper, is the site of perhaps the 
first Baptist, or perhaps any other church ever built in this 
neighborhood. It appears to have be"; n founded in 1828, when 
Mr. Thomas Meriwether gave to that body five acres of land 
for the purpose of establishing a church. A few graves and 
fewer tombstones now alone mark the spot near v/here the 
building stood. Iconoclasts got hold of it and removed the 
church organize. tion, called Bethlehem, to Clark's Hill, aban- 
doning this almost sacred spot lo the dead who lie buried be- 
neath its soil. 

The following letter throws some light from old times upon 
this particular section of which we are now writing: 

Poverty Hill, S. C, May loth, 1893. 
Thos. J. McKie, Woodlawn, S. C. : 

Dear Sir: — Yours of April 27th, to hand and contents duly 
noted. I have been told that Bussey was the founder of An- 
derson mill, not before 1780, or later than iSoo. The road 
formerly crossed the Creek about one-fourth mile below the 
mill, and no doubt moved up on account of the mill. Some 
old land plats would give about the date or the time it was built. 

Peter Day was the founder of Brigg's Mill and John Day of 
Mealing mill. George Delyaughter built on Reese shoals 
about 18 15 — moved to mouth of Sweet Water Creek about 
1820. My father built a bridge across the creek just below 
the mouth of Sweet Water Creek about 1839 or '40 — Free 
Ferry road and flat about 1830. 

The oldest road was probably the River road, and leaves the 
Martintown road this side of Mr. Thomas McKie' s and cross- 



112 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

ing Fox Creek near its mouth, via New Richmond, near 
Canipbelltown, crossing Stevens' Creek near its mouth and up 
the river. This road was, no doubt, a military road, and can 
still be traced. 

Carter's road passes nearCurrytown, via Boulware's Store — 
crosses the creek below the mill. This road is on the oldest 
land grants. 

Martintown road on plats of 1 754-1 757 is marked "path to 
Augusta;" on later plats marked "road to Campbelltown;" 
and still later it is called "Martintown road" (1760). 

Poverty Hill is said to have got its name from some soldiers 
of the Revolutionary War, who called there for something to 
eat, and failing to get anything, called it Poverty Hill. 

New Richmond, probably named after Richmond, Va. , was 
settled by Le Roy Hammond, from Virginia. I have been 
told that his land grant was given 1 740. If this be so, it is 
probably the oldest land grant of this section. 

Bussey settled the Market place; George Del,aughter, near 
your mill; Richard Pace, near Boulware's Store; John Hill, 
opposite Hardy Church; Enos Morgan, at W. H. Brigg's; Car- 
son, at or near George Thurmond. It is said there was a 
Quaker settled in the forks of the creek, probably came from 
Quaker Springs, Ga., during the Indian War of 1757. Most 
all the parties I have named came from Virginia, and it can be 
said that this section of country was settled bj- parties from 
Virginia before the Indian War of 1757. 

I remain yours truly, 

J. P. DeLAUGHTER. 

As regards the building of the Anderson mill. Dr. McKie 
writes me from Woodlawn, under date of May 14th, 1893: 

Although I wrote you this morning about the Anderson 
mill, I venture to do so again, as I have since received a letter 
from Dr. Shaw, of Curryton, who learns from one of the family 
that it is most probable Mr. George Anderson built it at a 
period not definitely fixed. This man came from the Long 
Cane section to the Anderson place, and the record says his 
eldest son was born in 1757. From this it would seem possible 
that this mill antedates the Revolution. 

Yours very trul}-, 

Woodlawn. THOS. J. McKIE. 



■ *x HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI.D, II3 

PARKSVILLE. 

Mention must be made of the lovely little town of Parksville 
on the Westside. This town which now, April, 1893, ^^^ 
about two hundred and fifty inhabitants, is situated on the 
Port Royal and Western Carolina Railroad, thirty-two miles 
alx>ve Augusta, and a]x)ut the same distance from Greenwood. 
It has two churches, one Methodist and the other Baptist, both 
well attended during Sabbath services. At this time Rev. 
G. W. Bussey is pastor of the Baptist Church and Rev. B. O. 
Berry of the Methodist. 

The Hon. W. J. Talbeft has recently become a citizen. The 
town has a large and flourishing school of over one hundred 
scholars. The Principal is G. B. Toole, with the Misses Essie 
Jones and Lizzie Toole as assistants. 

The people of the town were determined to be strictly tem- 
perate and sober, and by Act of Incorporation, the sale of in- 
toxicating liquors is forbidden for ninety-nine years. 

There are four stores, two conducted by Gilchrist, Harmon 
& Co. , and one by L. F. Dorn. These do a general mercan- 
tile business. Then there is a drugstore kept by T. R. 
Whatley. 

This town is certainly favorably situated to grow to be a 
place of considerable importance, as the Savannah River on 
one side is about a mile distant, and Big Stevens' Creek on the 
other not quite so far. Let the town spread itself, so as to fill 
up all the space between the two, which it can do very easily 
in the course of a few years. 

REHOBOTH, &C. 

There are other schools also on the Westside, which it may 
be well to mention in this connection. First, Rehoboth, which 
is now, April, 1893, under the care of that able and experi- 
enced teacher and veteran. Captain T. C. Morgan, This school 
is well attended and Captain Morgan is doing a good work. 

Liberty Hill is taught by Professor Griffin; VVhitetown is 
under the care of Miss Annie Seigler, and Dornville is kept by 
Professor Bussey. These schools are all admirably conducted. 
East Gray has three white schools, presided over by Professors 
Harting and Ouzts and Mrs. Faulkner. 

On the Cambridge road, two miles below Kirksey's, there is 



114 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

a new church building, named Springfield, belonging to the 
colored people, and which is, indeed, quite a credit to them. 
The pastor is the Rev. William Peterson. The dimensions of 
the house are 38 by 60 feet; and from floor to ceiling about 25 
feet. The belfry is very pretty with its tall spire. The win- 
dow:s are about eight feet in height with Gothic tops. The 
whole cost of the building will be something over one thous- 
and dollars, and speaks well for the enlightenment, enterprise 
and religious zeal of the colored people of that section of the 
country. It is a Baptist church. 

SKIPPER'S GEORGIA AND THE DARK CORNER. 

The following explanation of the origin of these names has 
been given to me in answer to inquiries I made. According 
to this tradition the name "Dark Corner" has a different origin 
from what I liave heard. Which is the true one I cannot tell, 
but I believe the latter, as this comes from men born and 
reared and living in or near the region known as the Dark 
Corner. I do hope and believe that the name "Skipper's 
Georgia" did not originate as the tradition says. "The Annals 
of Newberry" shows no such name as Skipper, and I cannot 
believe that so great a fool was ever a native born in New- 
berry. Suppose we locate him in Laurens, somewhere above 
the line. 

Skipper's Georgia, my informant says, is located below 
Scott's Ferry Road. Its name originated from a citizen of 
Newberry named Skipper, who stole a couple of horses in New- 
berry and was told that after he had crossed the second river 
he would be in Georgia. After crossing Big Stevens' Creek 
he exclaimed "thank God! I am in Georgia at last." A posse 
of men from Newberry was not far behind him and while 
grazing his stock between A. Sharpton's and the creek in that 
hilly country, the posse overtook him, some of whom he well 
knew. He refused to be arrested or even to give up the horses, 
saying he was in Georgia and not subject to Carolina laws; 
but he was overpowered and taken back to Newberr)\ He has 
not been heard from since, yet the hills below the Scott's 
Ferry road bear his name. 

As to the "Dark Corner," the line commences just above 
the road leading to Scott's Ferry and extends up the river em- 



HISTORY OF^ EDGEFIELD, II5 

bracing all that territory between Stevens' Creek and the 
Savatinah River, as far up as Little River, which empties into 
the Savannah in Abbeville County. Above said River is th^ 
Range, because, at my first recollection, it was a poor, barren 
country, inhabited mostly by wild beasts and very thinjy 
settled. 

The Dark Corner was first settled by Tuckers, Tompkins, 
Jennings, Blackwells, Pickets and Searles. "They organized 
a beat company and Tucker kept a bar-room. Our court house 
at that time was at Ninety-Six. There was a paper published 
at that place, which was the only one in this congressional 
district. Old Loudon Tucker was at Ninety-Six attending 
court and by accident saw one of the newspapers and the con- 
tents pleased him so much that he bought a dozen or more 
copies to distribute among his neighbors, believing he vvould 
be able to get them to subscribe to the paper — it ^was a weekly 
paper. There were no mail routes in the country at that time 
and Tucker's idea was to get as many subscribers as possible 
so that they might, by going by turns for the paper, lose as 
little time as possible. 

Not a single member of the beat company would take the 
paper. After using all the persuasion and argumentative 
powers to no purpose he exclaimed, "how Jong shall we live 
in this d — d dark age and day!" Old man McKennie, well 
known to you, said that the Dark Corner was good enough for 
him, and would remain so if the people would only keep out 
books, newspapers and foreigners. 

Dark then, but not now — now the most intelligent part of 
our county. 

At Dorn's Mill, on Stevens' Creek, commences our Edge- 
field Range, taking in Liberty Hill, Rehoboth, — in fact, all 
that country between Stevens' and Turkey Creek. Below 
Turkey Creek is called Chota, after an Indian chief. Chota 
extends as far down as Martin town. Jeptha Sharpton, a de- 
scendant of Pocahontas, was born in Chota. 

W. D, JENNINGS. 

To Dr, Thos, J. McKiE. 



Il6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

AN OLD MEMORANDUM BOOK. 

Old books, old papers, old documents, and relics of the past, 
■of whatever kind, have always had great charms and attrac- 
tions for me. Were I living in a country, or could I visit one 
in which the past is still present in the form of old buildings, 
or ruins of old buildings, and monuments to the dead, or 
libraries in which old books and old manuscripts are stored 
away for safe keeping, it seems to me that I could pass days, 
months, or even years, in looking over these things and calling 
into life the fading ghosts and memories of the past. But we 
have no antiquities in South Carolina. It has been only a 
little iiiore than two hundred 5'ears since the first permanent 
settlement was made by white people on the territory of what 
is now South Carolina. Two hundred j^ears! Why that was 
only j^esterday. My own life covers one third of that period, 
and I have a clear and distinct recollection of many everts 
that occurred sixty-five, or more, years ago. We have no 
antiquities, but letters and memorandum books that have stood 
the wear and tear of time for bver a hundred years seem quite 
old. One such memorandum book has recentl>- come into my 
hands — sent to me by a friend who had hopes that it would be 
-of interest to me. It has given me great pleasure to look 
through and examine its contents. It was in use before the 
day of the adoption of the Spanish currency, when our money 
was still counted in pounds, shillings, and pence. 

The book appears to have been used mostly as a book ot re- 
ceipts for money paid, though I find also a few entries of a 
different character. The book belonged originally to a Mr. 
James Read. Where he lived does not appear with certainty, 
but there is a clew in one of the receipts to the place in which 
he probably had his residence. 

The oldest receipt is for 27 pounds, and bears date i8tli 
November, 1 771; the latest bears date May 2nd, 1782, and is 
for the sum of nine pounds, six shillings, and eight pence. 
Sterling; paid by Richard Guinn to John Dawson, ni full for 
the balance of ninety bushels of corn and a barrel of r'ce. 

The latest receipt for money paid by Mr. James Read bears 
date 8th July, 1777, for the sum of fifty pounds cuirency, 
being in part payment of his bond. [Signed.] R. O. 

Witness: Wm. Mattlev. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. Iiy 

The book seems to have passed out of the ownership of Mr. 
James Read; whether by death, or failure in business, I know 
not. In one place I find the following, which I copy: 

"Rece'd i6th March, 1775, five pounds, eighteen shillings, 
and 3 pence currency in full for a ballance due Mrs. Middleton 
for hoggs. 

/5, 18, 3 [Signed.] STEP: BULL." 

When I came across and read this receipt I thought and 
wondered whether it could be possible that this Stephen Bull 
was the same Stephen Bull who was brother to Wm. Bull, one 
time Colonial Governor, and so remarkable for his ugliness. 
It is related of him that on one occasion, while walking in the 
street not far from his residence, he was met by a countr^nnan, 
who, it appears, had never seen him before. As soon as the 
countryman met -him and -got a good sight of his face, li^ 
stopped short in front of him and stared at him in open- 
mouthed wonder. The Governor, being somewhat surprised, 
stopped also and said to him: "Well, my friend, what can I do 
for you?" The countr3'man, still staring and stammering a 
little, said: "Sir, where do you live? You are certainly the 
ugliest man I have ever seen in my life." The Governor, be- 
ing of a very affable and good easy temper, laughed and good 
hmiioredly replied: "Wait, my friend, you just wait till you 
see my brother Stephen." Now, whether the Stephen Bull 
whose name appears signed to this receipt is the same Stephen 
Bull, brother to the Governor, I do not know. 

There are three signed Natlil. Greene, but I do not suppose 
that he was General Greene of the Revolution. Two signed 
by Thomas Rutledge, one of which I copy: "Beaufort, April 
8th, T775, rec'd of Mr. James Reid fifteen pounds, 15, 7, cur- 
rency, on account. ^ 

THO. RUTL^DGK. 
Cash. . . ■ jC^o 

' Acc't 5, 15s, 7d 



/15, 15s, 7d 
I fit,.d two signed Wm. McKie. On one of the pages, writ- 
ten ii an elegant female hand, without date: "Wben this you 
see remember me though many miles you distant bee — 
Catherine D. Hammond." 



Il8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

My mind raises the question whether Catherine was of the 
Le Roy or Samuel Hammond family, but I get no reply, 
Catherine, or some other good woman, wrote also the follow- 
ing: 

"I send the joys of earth away, 

Away ye tempters of the mind; 
False as the smooth, deceitful sea, 
And empty as the whistling wind." 



Again: 



"I waited patient for the Lord, 

He bow'd to hear my cry; 
He saw me resting on His word, 

And brought salvation nigh." 

Again on another page: 

"Why doth the man of riches grow 

In insolence and pride, 
To see his wealth and honors flow 

With every rising tide? 

"Why doth he treat the poor with scorn 

Made of the selfsame clay? 
And boast as though his fl^sh were born 

Of better dust than they?" 

The same hand writes on another page: 

"Behold what wondrous grace 

The Father has bestowed 
On sinners of a mortal race 

To call them sons of God!" 

Again: 

"Come, let us join our cheerful songs 

With angels 'round the throne — 
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues. 
But all their joys are one." 

And on the next page only the word "Catherine," with a 
flourish which I cannot copy. 

The last verses written in this book are the following: 

"I pass with melancholy state 

By all these solemn heaps of fate; 

And think — as soft and sad I tread 

Above the venerable dead, 

Time was like me— they life possest 

And time will be— when I shall rest." 

C. D. H. 



HISTORY OF EDGEPIEtD. 119 

She was a good woman who wrote these verses in this old 
memorandum book, and it is with a tender melancholy that I 
read and copy them here. Yes, Catherine, long ago you found 
rest. 

I feel that I cannot part company with this old book without 
making a few more extracts, as it is altogether probable that I. 
shall never see it again after returning it to the owner: 

"Rece'd Dec. 24th, 1771, of James Read six pounds, five 
shillings in part for bread. MARY LINTON." 

"Received :7th June, 1772, of Mr. James Read, fifty shil- 
lings currency in full for one month's hire my negro boy, 
named Joe. GEORGE BLAND." 

"Rece'd i July, 1772, of Mr. James Read two pound four 
shilling & 3d in full for Beef & all demands to this day. 
£2, 4, 3 LSAAC XARMENTOR." 

"Received 14th Jan., 1777, of Mr. James Read the sum of 
fourteen pound five shillings currency, being in full for House 
Rent and all demands to this day. 

/14, 5 WILLL\M DEVEANE." 

Mr. James Read must have kept a hotel or house of public 
entertainment. The book passed out of his hands into others, 
and was used towards the close of its business career for enter- 
ing of washing accounts. 

"Wednesday, 8th April, Mr. Fowler came from Charleston. 
Sunday night, 12th" (year not given), "Mr. Smerdon came 
here. Saturday, i8th, begun to wash for Mr. Fowler;" then 
followed a long list of articles washed for Mr. Fowler, shirts, 
neck handkerchiefs, pocket ditto, stockings, waistcoats, 
breeches, &c. Then follows a similar list, but not so long, of 
articles washed for Mr. Smerdon. 

And thus we find that all through life the practical and the 
poetic, the common-place and the ideal, go together, move 
together, stand together, side by side always. But, indeed, 
there is nothing common-place. Catherine, the refined and 
educated, the noble Christian woman, was a true sister to that 
one who did washing for Mr. Fowler and Mr. Smerdon. That 
woman, whose name is not given, who washed and did laundry 
work for Mr, Fowler and Mr. Smerdon, if she was a Christian, 
was also a daughter of the King. They both have found rest; 
whether together, whether they know each other, whether 



I20 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

they have ever met, makes no difference. They know those 
whom they ought to know, and they have all things and such 
.surroundings as is best for them. 

"This book of receipts," writes Dr. Thos. J. McKie, under 
date of September 2/«th, 1893, "came into my hands with a 
lot of old books purchased at the sale of Mrs. Stephen Garrett, 
a very old widow woman, who lived on Horn's Creek near its 
mouth, where she owned a mill and plantation adjoining. 
This was more than 40 years ago. ' ' 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 121 



XIV. 

FRUIT HILL AND VICINITY. 

For the facts in the following sketch of Fruit Hill I am 
indebted to Major Scott Allen: 

Fruit Hill is situated 12 miles north of Edgefield Court 
House, and immediately^ on the direct road from Edgefield 
Court House to Newberry Court House. The country around 
Fruit Hill is level, but the drainage is good, from the fact that 
it is immediately on the ridge between the Savannah and the 
Saluda Rivers; in fact, in time of rain the water that falls on 
many ..houses, that on, the East side runs to the Saluda and 
that on the West side to the Savannah. 

The lands are naturally very productive, and lying so level 
they are susceptible of a very high state of cultivation. The 
best lands, when well cultivated, will readily yield one bale of 
cotton per acre, and will produce 25 to 40 bushels of corn per 
acre, and of oats 40 bushels. Pet patches in this immediate 
vicinity have produced as high as 4 bales of cotton, 80 bushels 
of corn, and 109 bushels of oats to the acre. But of course 
such yields require the most perfect preparation and cultivation 
and also excessive fertilization; but such are the facts. 

The countr}- around Fruit Hill was originally settled by the 
Aliens, Goodwins, Richardsons, Culpeppers, Bakers, Hollings- 
worths, Harrises, Huskeys, Landrums, Nortons, and Hemslys. 

The pa^-ticular place and homestead known as Fruit Hill 
was settled by a man named Young Allen, from North Caro- 
lina. He married a Miss Richardson. He was no relation of 
the present owner of Fruit Hill. A daughter of Young Allen 
married Benjamin Frazier, and inherited the Fruit Hill place 
from Young Allen. Benjamin Frazier sold Fruit Hill to 
Major John C. Allen, and the place has remained in the pos- 
session of his immediate family to the present date, November, 
1893. 

Major John C. Allen was a son of Ossamus W. Allen, of 
Barnwell District. Major Allen married Hannah Coates, who 
brought him 12 children, namely, Ossamus W. Allen, Zulime 
G. Allen, Elizabeth E. Allen, Mary A., Joseph Duncan, John 



132 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELDl 

R., James H., Sarah H.. Fabian P., Margaret S., Walter 
Scott, and Washington D, Allen. Major John C. Allen and 
his sons Joseph D., John R., and Fabian P., all died with 
typhoid fever in 1854. 

Major John C. Allen was elected Major during the exciting 
days of Nullification. He represented the District of Edgefield 
in the Legislature in 1852 and 1853, and was a member at the 
time of his death. He always took an active part in all public 
matters from earliest manhood, and died in the full confidence 
and esteen of his fellow-citizens. His widow lived many years 
after his death. She died at the old homestead, Fruit Hill, in 
1883, surrounded by her eight living children and many sor- 
rowing friends. Truly it could be said of her that "none 
knew hei" but to love her, none named her but to praise. ' ' 

The oldest son, who was also the oldest child, Dr. Ossamus 
W. Allen, graduated at the South Carolina College and after- 
wards at the State Medical College in Charleston, S. C, and 
enjoyed a large and lucrative practice till his death. He 
married Ellen Nicholson, of Edgefield District, and by said 
marriage had four children. He entered the Confederate Army 
in August, 1861, as first lieutenant, in which position he served 
until prostrated with typhoid fever, in the winter of 1862, 
when he resigned and returned home. He was wounded twice 
in battle in Virginia — in the battle at Gaines' Mill — second 
battle of Manassas — and at Sharpsburg, in Maryland. Two of 
his children are living (November, 1893), Mrs. Kate Kinnaird 
and Joseph D. Allen, serving his fourth term as Judge of Pro- 
bate of Edgefield County. 

Zulime G. Allen married William S. Smiley and is the 
mother of eight Smiley children, five now living. Her husband, 
W. S. Smiley, died in 1855, and she afterwards married Wm. 
L. Stevens, and is the mother of two Stevens children, both 
living. 

Elizabeth E. Allen married Colonel John W. Tompkins. 
Colonel Tompkins ser\^ed with distinction in the war between the 
States and died in 1887. His widow and six children survive. 

Mary A. Allen married Benjamin F. Mays, who died in 
1 885 and left his widow and five children surviving. Benjamin 
F. Mays was a good man. He made a good soldier during the 
war. Was treasurer of the county in 1876 — the first under the 



HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 123 

Hampton Administration, He was also a leading member of 
the Home's Creek Baptist Church and died in the full fellow- 
ship of his church* and the confidence and esteem of the entire 
country. 

James H. Allen married Martha Kinnaird, and the)' had 
seven children, five still living. The wife and mother died in 
1885. James H. Allen entered the Confederate service as third 
lieutenant in 1861; was promoted to the captaincy on the field 
of battle at Gettysburg, Penn., for his distinguished bravery 
on the field. He served as captain until disabled by a gunshot 
wound at Riddle's Shop in Virginia in 1864. Since that date 
he is incapacitated for manual labor. He lives on his farm 
three miles west of Fruit Hill and enjoys the confidence of all 
who know him. 

Sarah H. Allen married William E. Hobbs, He died from 
gunshot wounds received in battle at Resaca, Georgia, in 1864. 
Mrs. Hobbs afterwards married Arthur H. Collett. She is still 
living and has five children living, two by the first marriage 
and three by the last. 

Margaret S. Allen married Benjamin Franklin Payne in 
1862. He died in 1868, leaving three children. His widow 
afterward married Benjamin Jackson Stevens and by"said mar- 
riage she had one daughter. She is now a widow and has four 
children living. (November, 1893). Her son, Joseph W. 
Payne, is a model young man, the support and mainstay of 
his widowed mother and three sisters, v.'ho are all devotedly 
attached to him, and he is also highly esteemed by all who 
have the happiness to be acquainted with him. 

Washington D. Allen married Ella G. Mays, and has five 
children living. He entered the Confederate service as a 
private in Company B, Sixth South Carolina Cavalry, and 
served through the entire war and surrendered with John- 
ston's army in North Carolina in 1865. He was complimented 
on several occasions by the general commanding the brigade, 
and especially by his immediate commanding officers, for his 
untiring energy and determination, and his universal good 
humor and his willingness to discharge every duty imposed 
upon him. He has since the war filled positions of public 
trust with ability, and now lives on his farm one mile south- 
west from Fruit Hill. 



124 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

W. Scott Allen, the present owner of Fruit Hill, was edu- 
cated at the old field schools within five miles of Fruit Hill. 
He had prepared himself to enter the South Carolina College, 
when the war between the States came on. He gave up his 
books, donned the soldier's uniform, and entered the Confeder- 
ate service as private in Company K, Fourteenth South Caro- 
lina Volunteers. He was severely wounded in the battle of 
Gaines' Mill, Va., in the right arm near the shoulder and 
slightly in the head. He was slightly wounded in the breast 
at Chancellorsville, but did not leave the field. He had his 
clothes completely riddled at Gettysburg, but did not get the 
skin scratched in the first day's fighting. On the third day at 
Gettysburg his gun-stock was shot entirely off at the small of 
the stock, but the shock did not even knock the gun out of his 
hand. He was highly complimented on both of these days by 
Colonel Abner Perrin, commanding the brigade. His com^ 
pany, K, commanded by Captain James H. Allen, his brother, 
went into the fight on the first day at Gettysburg with 39 
men, rank and file, and 34 fell, killed and wounded, at the first 
fire from the enemy, and that, too, when the company had not 
fired a gun, for the orders were to take the work at the point 
of the bayonet, and they were taken as ordered, but at a fear- 
ful cost. In that charge company K lost some as gallant men 
as ever shouldered arms in any cause. 

When General I<ee decided to recross the river into Vir- 
ginia after the battle of Sharpsburg, there was a call for vol- 
unteers for the "forlorn hope:" in other words for men to 
cover the retreat across the river. In the call it was distinctly 
stated that all who volunteered would most certainly be killed 
or captured, as they were expected to halt the line until the 
signal to move was given from the Virginia side of the river. 
Notwithstanding the great danger of death in the "forlorn 
hope," Scott Allen was one of the first to volunteer, and con- 
trary to the general expectation, the entire company of volun- 
teers, after doing some gallant fighting, successfully crossed 
the river and rejoined the command. 

He was severely wounded through the face at Spottsylva- 
nia Court House, Ya.., in 1864, and in special orders by Colonel 
J. N. Brown of the Fourteenth Regiment, South Carolina 
Volunteers, was complimented for his distinguished conduct 



HISTORY OF ' EDGEFIELD. 1 25 

and bravery on the occasion, and was recommended to the 
Secretary of War for a commission. The Secretary of War 
appointed him a Second Lieutenant in the Confederate States 
Army, and the same day he was promoted Captain of Companj'' 
K, Fourteenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. After 
sufficiently recovering from his wound, he returned to Virginia, 
and took command of his company and commanded the same 
during all the trying scenes around Petersburg, Va. And at 
the surrender at Appomattox Court House, he commanded not 
only his own company, but also six other companies of the 
regiment, in all 35 men. 

After the surrender he returned home and took charge of 
his mother's farm at Fruit Hill. In the spring of 1866 he 
married Frances E. Adams. By this marriage they have had 
eleven children, six of whom are living now (1893). He has 
aided greatly, and succeeded beyond his expectations, in 
building a fine school at Fruit Hill, His two daughters com- 
pleted their education at the Greenville Female College. One 
son is at the Medical College in Augusta, Ga., and three boys 
are attending the Fruit Hill High School, of which Rev. 
William H. Simpson is Principal. 

He was elected to the Legislature in 1876, and served two 
terms. Aided in the organization of the Democratic party in 
that year, and in the overthrow of the Republican party. He 
organized a rifle company, and all through that period of 
trouble had it ready for service and for any emergency that might 
arise. There is little doubt that his company was very useful 
in suppressing difficulties and preventing bloodshed. He is 
still living and enjoying the comforts of a happy home at 
Fruit Hill. There are four churches within five miles of his 
home — two Baptist and two Methodist. 

Rocky Creek Church, the nearest, is Baptist, and was organ- 
ized in 1831. Rev. Joseph Norris, pastor; John Cogburn. 
Esq., clerk. The pulpit has been filled from time to time by 
Revs. Xorris, Watkins, Peterson, Norris, Bartley, Coover, 
McMillan, Carson, Bradford, and the present supply. Rev. 
William H. Simpsoi.. The present membership is about one 
hundred. Great good has been done by this church, and 
under the present pastor the good influence promises to 
continue. 



^ -o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



The Other churches, Little Steven's Creek, Baptist; and 
Bethlehem and Gazzaway, Methodist, are also in a thriving-^ 
condition, and are doing much good for the whole country. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIET^B. 12' 



XV. 

CAPT. JAMES RYAN. 

Captain James Ryan was a native of Virginia, but at an 
early age removed to South Carolina. He was one of the first 
settlers of Edgefield District — a pioneer in the wilderness^ — 
and was soon called into service as a soldier against the Chero- 
kees. In the war of 1 768 against that nation, he was appointed 
a Lieutenant in one of the companies and distinguished him- 
self. He always volunteered in the most dangerous enterprises 
and was frequently engaged in hand to hand conflicts with the 
Indians. He was under Williamson, fighting against the 
Cherokees, when the Declaration of Independence was made 
in Charleston, August, 1776. 

He took his stand upon the principles of that declaration, 
and never changed. He served as Captain under Le Roy 
Hammond, (Colonel) and was engaged in many bloody skir- 
mishes of which there is no record. When the State was 
overrun in 1780, after the fall of Charleston, and was consid- 
ered a conquered province, he, with many other true patriots, 
asked for his parole and took what is known as British pro- 
tection. But when the British afterwards pronounced him a 
British subject, as a consequence of this act, and called upon 
him to bear arms against his countrymen, he refused, was 
arrested, and thrown into prison at Ninety-Six. From this 
place he was sent in irons with Captain James Butler, James 
Caldwell, Daniel Dufif, and some others, to the provost prison 
in Charleston, where he was confined in the same cells with all 
sorts and descriptions of evil doers — British culprits. The 
prison was crowded — the weather hot — the temper of the 
parties not verj^ amiable, and they soon began to quarrel and 
fight. Captain Ryan afterwards related that the Americans 
were beating their opponents soundly when assistance was 
sent to them from without. Ryan and his Whig companions 
were then placed on board a prison ship, which has always 
been regarded as a brief epitome, or condensed edition of hell. 
From this ship some were delivered by death, some were 
exchanged, and some few escaped. Captain Ryan was one of 



128 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

these, but for some time he was not able to get out of the city. 
At length one day he quarrelled with some soldiers in the 
street. After the soldiers left him and passed on, a lady who 
had been listening called Captain Ryan to her door. She, 
being a good Whig and wishing to assist him to escape, ad- 
vised him to go to a sentinel on the lines and pretend that he 
was a rebel deserter— had been badly treated, and wished to 
enlist under some British officer whom he knew at Monck's 
Corner— an officer of reputation. Ryan at once assumed the 
character, and after a few visits to the sentinel he let him pass. 
Ryan did not go to Monck's Corner, nor did he return to 
Charleston, but made the best of his way to the home of 
Colonel Thomas Taylor, an old friend and schoolmate. Before 
he reached Granby at the Congaree he was joined by three 
others, brothers in misfortune. There was neither flat nor 
canoe in which they could cross, and two of the party could 
not swim. They made a raft, and placing upon it the two who 
could not swin, Ryan and the other swam and towed them 
over. Colonel Taylor, who had just returned from a scouting 
expedition, received Ryan with great kindness and loaned him 
a horse to help him on his way home. On the way, near the 
Kdisto, he unexpectedly met three men whom he believed to 
be Tories. These men stopped him and asked him who he 
was. He gave the name of Rambo, a well-known Tory in the 
neighborhood; but Holley, one of the party, doubted the truth 
of what he said. The}^ searched and found his commission. 
Holley immediately seized his gun to shoot him, but Ryan, 
with entire self-possession, asked him to wait a moment; and 
then appealed to his feelings as a Christian and a man against 
such doings. Holley yielded, but took him to a Tory camp 
not far off where he said he knew he would be put to death. 
The Captain of the party, who was an old man, would not 
permit them to kill him; but when Ryan left the camp, Holle}" 
and a few others followed him until out of sight of those at the 
camp, stripped off his coat, hat, and boots, took his horse and 
dismissed him barefooted. He got home, however, collected 
some of his company, and returned to the Tory camp to look 
for his horse and clothes. 

The Tories were absent, but an old woman, the Captain's 
wife, was there in great distress, who begged Ryan not to 



''^ HISTORY OF EDGEPIKLD. 1 29 

injure her, but to give her some food. He immediately had v 
beef killed, cut up. and salted away for her to live upon. 
Soon after leaving the old woman, he fell in with the Tory 
party and captured Holley and a few others. Holley was put 
to death, but I believe no other. 

While part of lyord Rawdon's army was on the retreat frpm 
Ninety- Six through the fork of Edisto, Captain Ryan, with 
his company of fifty ragged militia, resolved to attack the rear 
guard and capture their baggage. He sent all, except three 
or four, to make the attack. These three or four sounded 
their bugles and beat two or three drums, as though a much 
larger party were advancing to battle. The rusg succeeded. 
After a sharp skirmish the wagons were captured, with a good 
supply of arms, ammunition, and clothing. Every man was 
able to take something of a prize home to his family. The 
captured wagons were immediately burned and the Whigs 
dispersed. Unfortunately for their complete success, some of 
them overloaded themselves with plunder and with rum, espe- 
cially rum, were overtaken, and captured. Ryan's men, who 
had gone from home almost destitute, returned to their 
families well armed, well clothed, well mounted, and in high 
spirits. 

In the fall of 1782, while advancing upon a party of Tories 
in camp with great ardor, as he always did, he received a ball 
in his shoulder which he carried to his grave. Unable to 
proceed himself, he ordered his First Lieutenant, Wm. Butler, 
to lead on and continue the pursuit. This skirmish took place 
near Orangeburg, and was Captain Ryan's last battle, as his 
wound was too painful and dangerous for him to keep the field. 
He was carried home and took no more active part in the war, 
but he continued to issue orders and to plan operations against 
the Tories. 

At the close of the war, he retired to his plantation on Horse 
Creek, where he remained, cultivating the soil, seeking no 
office, loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a 
man who never refused to face an enemy and never turned his 
back on a friend. He left a large and valuable estate, which 
was distributed among his relations and kinsfolk, as he had no 
children of his own. 



130 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

LE ROY HAMMOND. 

Le Roy and Samuel Hammond, two of the most active and 
energetic Whigs during the Revolution in Edgefield District, 
were both born in Richmond County, Virginia. Le Roy, a 
sketch of \vhom we will give first, was the son of John Ham- 
mond, who had married Miss Dobbins. The year of his birth 
is not given, nor is any mention made of his early life, educa- 
tion, and training. He married a Miss Tyler, and left Virginia 
about the year 1765, with his wife and one child. He began 
business as a merchant in Augusta, which w'as a town at the 
time about thirty years old, and a good place of business. Mr. 
Hammond remained in Augusta two or three years, when he 
removed over to South Carolina, to a place called Richmond, 
where he continued business as a merchant, and also kept a 
public ferry across the Savannah River. From this place he 
removed his residence to Snow Hill in Edgefield District, 
where he engaged in the tobacco trade and did much to pro- 
mote and improve the culture of that noxious weed in South 
Carolina. Atjhis warehouse at Cameltown, a short distance 
below his residence, the first year he only received twent}^ 
hogsheads of tobacco; the second j^ear he received over one 
thousand. His business here was large and profitable. 

Before the war he was a justice of the peace and captain of a 
militia companj^; and being a good surveyor, and a man of 
.sound, practical sense and judgment, he had great iniluence. 
He was one of the first in Edgefield and, perhaps, in the State, 
to lay an embargo upon tea, by excluding it from use in his 
family on account of the arbitrary acts of the British Parlia- 
ment. Tea had long been their favorite beverage. 

The visit of Messrs. Drayton and Teunant to the up-country 
produced a profound sensation and tended to separate the 
people into twojparties by causing them to declare themselves 
for or against the measures of the Revolutionary part}-. 
Browne, the Tory leader, became more openl}' hostile, and 
Drayton came from the Dutch Fork to see Hammond, and 
appealed to him for support, as his opinions were alreadj^ Avell 
known. Tennant was then at Ninety-Six. To that place 
Hammond proceeded with Drayton to use his influence, which 
was great, in inducing the wavering and vacillating"[to sign the 
pledge of association. 



HISTORY OF KUGEFIELI), 131 

Neighbor began to reproach neighbor, and the loj^ahsts soon 
assumed a hostile attitude under the Cunninghams. They col- 
lected their forces at Ninety-Six, and Colonel Andrew Wil- 
liamson, with about six hundred men, went to oppose them. 
Hammond was an officer under Williamson. In a few days a 
truce was made between the parties for twenty days, and the 
men disbanded and went home. In Williamson's expedition 
against the Cherokees in 1776, I,e Roy Hammond played a 
very distinguished part. In fact, the success of the expedi- 
tion was greatly due to him. When Williamson's army was 
ambuscaded and the prospect looked very gloomy — when 
Williamson's horse was killed under him — when Hammond's 
friend, Mr. Francis Salvador, of whom I .shall have more to 
say after awhile, was killed and scalped by his side — when 
everything around was in the utmost confusion and victory 
seemed doubtfid, it was then that Le Roy Hammond, with 
only twenty men of his own company, charged upon the 
Indians concealed in the thicket — charged with fixed bayonet— 
and when they broke from their cover and fled, he poured 
upon them such a deadly fire that they could not rally. Thus 
by the gallant conduct of Hammond the army was saved. And 
again, soon afterwards it was determined to cross the Seneca 
River and invade the Indian Nation. The officer who was 
ordered to lead the advance hesitated and evaded the duty. 
The men themselves shrank from the advance. Hammond 
volunteered to lead, and the movement was executed with 
gallantry and success. Hammond received promotion. 

So complete was the defeat of the Cherokees that they were 
never afterwards troublesome. Many of them went down to 
Florida and became pensioners of the British, as their crops 
and all means of subsistence were almost entirely destroyed in 
this campaign. 

In June, 1778, Colonel Hammond, with J. ly. Gervais and 
George Galphin, was appointed by the Governor and Council,. 
Commissioners to conciliate the Indian Nations. And in 
December, 1778, he was sent with George Galphin and Daniel 
McMurphy, by the Continental Congress, as Commissioners to 
the Upper and Lower Creeks, met them, had a friendly talk,, 
and made peaceful arrangements with the young Tallassee 
King and other great men am.ongst the Creeks. These 



132 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

arrangements and treaties were preserved by Henry Laurens, 
President of the Continental Congress. 

In 1779, Colonel Hammond was with his regiment and 
fought at the battle of Stono. In 1780, he co-operated with 
Clarke, and other Whigs, against the Tories and Indians in 
"Georgia, In 1781, he was very active during the siege of 
Augusta; he with the infantry and Samuel Hammond with the 
•cavalry. During this siege the war waged was one of the 
greatest barbarity. The Tory, Browne, who commanded at 
Augusta, with his Indian allies, put to death the prisoners 
taken with savage ferocity. And the Whig militia, it is 
altogether probable, were sometimes not much better. Captain 
William Martin, of the artillery, the oldest of seven brave 
brothers, was killed here. More will be said about these 
Martin brothers after awhile. Pickens, Clarke, Harden, and 
the two Hammonds pushed the siege with great vigor. After 
the capture of Granby, Lee joined them with his legion, and 
Browne soon afterwards surrendered. Pickens, Le Roy and 
Samuel Hammond then proceeded to Ninety Six to assist 
General Greene. When the siege of Ninety-Six was raised, 
the Hammonds were sent westwardly and northwestwardlj^ to 
protect Greene on his retreat, by preventing annoyance from 
the Tories. From the mountains they were instructed to 
proceed eastwardly to the Congaree. Proceeding eastwardly 
they fell in with the rear of the British army under Colonel 
Cruger retreating from Ninety -six to Orangeburg, and captured 
some baggage and made several prisoners. Here Le Roy 
returned home; but he had scarcely reached his home when he 
was called out to aid General Greene in the battle of Eutaw. 
Near Granby he was met by a messenger from General Rut- 
ledge, at Camden, who required his presence there immedi- 
ately. While he was at Camden the battle of Eutaw was 
fought, in which Colonel Samuel Hammond distinguished 
himself. From this period until the close of the war, he was 
engaged in scouting, but met no more British troops in regular 
battle array. 

After the war he resumed business as a merchant in partner- 
ship with John Lewis Gervai.«, of Charleston, S. C. He was a 
member of the Legislature for many years, sometimes as Rep- 
resentative and sometimes as Senator. Of his character as a 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. I33 

soldier, as a legislator, as a citizen, as a neigh ber, as a man, 
too much cannot be said in his praise. He was an Episcopalian 
in religion by education and practice. He died at his home in 
Edgefield, leaving only one descendant, a namesake, Le Roy 
Hammond. He also left but one son, Andrew Hammond. 
Some descendants of Colonel Le Roy Hammond are now 
living in Edgefield County. I hope they are as honorable, as 
brave, as true to the dictates of honor as ever their illustrious 
ancestor was, 

SAMUEL HAMMOND. 

There is not a name in Edgefield, nor in the vState, that 
deserves to be remembered with more admiration and love for 
his heroic devotion to the cause of Independence than that of 
Samuel Hammond. He was born on the 21st of September, 
1757, in Richmond County, Farnham's Parish, Virginia. He 
began his career of public service at an early age. In an 
expedition ordered out by Governor Dunmore against the 
Western Indians, he was a volunteer, and was in the desperate 
battle at the mouth of the Great Kenhawa River, fought by 
General Andrew Lewis, October loth, 1774. When the 
troubles wdth the mother country began, he took the side of 
Independence — was made captain of a company of volunteers 
and was engaged in a battle at Great Bridge, near Norfolk, 
under Colonel Woodford, December, 1775. He also served in 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with the \^irginia troops, under 
Colonel Mathews, General Maxwell and others. In 1778 he 
volunteered as aid to General Pland and with him went to 
Pittsburg. In January, 1779, he removed with his father's 
family to Edgefield District, and at once joined the army under 
General Lincoln, under orders of General Mcintosh, who had 
superceded General Hand in Pennsylvania. The Virginia 
troops were about to return home as their eighteen months' 
term had expired; but Hammond remained with General Lin- 
coln, as captain, that having been his rank in Virginia as 
General Hand's aid. On the second of February he was 
ordered by General Williamson to raise a company of mounted 
volunteers to be attached to Le Roy Hammond's regiment. 
He did so, and on the 3d of March, 1779, he was commissioned 
by Governor Rutledge captain of company, and continued in 



134 • HISTOllY" OF' EDGEFIELD. 

that service until the surrender of lyincohi in May, 1780, was 
known in the upper countr)-. Before the fall of Charleston, 
during Prevost's invasion, he had fought at the battle of Stono, 
under Colonels Henderson and Malmedy. At the seige of Sa- 
vannah, these officers with their men made a gallant attack 
upon the left of the British lines. After the seige of Savan- 
nah he continued under General Williamson until the surrender 
of General lyincoln at Charlestown, when Williamson with a 
great manj' other Whigs, accepted British protection as paroled 
prisoners; but Samuel Hammond did not. 

General Williamson was at Augusta with a few South Caro- 
lina militia when Charlestown was surrendered. Governor 
Howley, of Georgia, Colonel Clary, of G'&orgia, Colonel Dooly 
and several other officers, continental and militia, held a con- 
ference which Williamson attend 2d. The convention entered 
into and agreed upon by the British and the American com- 
mander at Charlestown, was presented by Williamson and was 
read by one of the governor's secretaries. Various plans were 
discussed, but nothing definite was agreed upon. Governor 
Howley determined to retreat northward with such State 
papers as he could carry away, and Williamson determined to 
discharge the few South Carolina militia then at Augusta, and 
return to Whiteha'.l, near Ninety-Six. Colonels Dooly and 
Clarke promised Williamson to co-operate with him in any 
plan that might be adopted by the council at Whitehall for the 
defence of the lower part of the two States; or to retire with 
him to the Nort'i, if that should be the determination. These 
officers then retired to Wilkes County, Ga., and Williamson 
to Whitehall. Many of his officers were there a.ssembled, and 
Samuel Hammond had high hopes, before the council met, 
that they would determine to move, without loss of time, 
northward, with all the forces they had as.sembled; to keep 
together; to increase their numbers; and to be ready, at all 
times, for offensive or defensive operations, until a.ssistance 
could come from the main army. 

General Williamson had, then and there, three companies 
of regular infantry, raised by the State and enlisted for three 
years or the war. The officer.=- were good; the troops well 
trained. Besides these there were present one hundred and 
fift)' or two hundred unorganized men. Colonel Ancrcw Pick- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 135 

ens, with his force — number not given — was halted about three 
miles below Ninety-Six. This was the situation when the 
council met. General Williamson read the capitulation of 
Charlestown; made some comments; advised keeping together 
and retreating; but said that he would be governed by the de- 
termination a majority of the council should adopt. Samuel 
Hanmiond says that he was struck dumb on finding that not 
more than one officer of the staff, one field officer, and four or 
five captains were opposed to an immediate acceptance of the 
terms stipulated for the militia of the State by the Convention 
at Charlestown. It was now proposed and carried, to send a flag 
at once to Colonel Parris to notify him of their conclusion, and 
to settle the time, place, and manner of surrender. Still Wil- 
liamson persevered and again addressed the council and 
expressed a wish for a different conclusion; and proposed to 
ride, with any number of the officers present, to Colonel 
Pickens' camp — a few miles distant — stating that he wished to 
consult with him and to address the men of his command. 
This was agreed to. Williamson talked with Pickens. The 
troops were then drawn up in square, all mounted. William- 
son then addressed them in spirited terms, stating that with 
his men alone he could drive all the British then in the District 
without difficulty. He then caused the capitulation of Charles- 
town to be read. He again addressed them, and told them that 
they could safely retreat, and that he was sure they could soon 
return with force sufficient to keep the enemy confined to 
Charlestown. He told them what they had already done, and 
what he hoped they would do; but he left it to themselves to 
.say what they would do.' He concluded by putting the ques- 
tion to vote, and said: 'My fellow citizens, all of you who are 
for going with me on a retreat with arms in our hands, will 
hold up your hands; and all who are for staying and accepting 
the terms made for you by General Lincoln will stand as you 
are.' Two officers. Captain McCall and Captain Mclyidle, and 
three or four privates, held up their hands; all others stood as 
they were. He then put the question again with the same 
result. 

Samuel Hammond, who was present at this conference, rode 
back with Williamson and his staff to Whitehall. That eve- 
ning, in company with Bennett Crofton, adjutant of one of the 



136 HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 

regiments, he left Whitehall, determined to make their retreat 
and not acquiesce in the decision just arrived at. 

At this point Williamson disappears from history, and 
nothing, or little more is said of him, until he is captured by 
Colonel Hayne near Charlestown. The place of his retirement, 
after he left Whitehall, was never spoken of. The time and 
place of his death are unknown. He died an obscure, heart- 
broken, poor man. He was not a traitor. Let that word cease 
to be applied to his name. He never bore arms against his 
country. He never received a British commission. He never 
received any British gold. He lived the balance of his days 
in obscurity and died poor. He was not a great man. He was 
not a heroic character, but a weak one. It was very unfor- 
tunate, both for himself and the country, that he had the chief 
command in the up-country at that time. That place should 
have been held by L,e Roy Hammond, his brother-in-law, 
(they married sisters, the Misses Tyler, of Virginia,) who was 
of a more heroic mould. His success in the Cherokee war 
was due mainly to the courage and skill of I,e Roy Hammond. 
And it is worthy of note that Colonel Hammond does not 
blame him for the course he took. Samuel Hammond w-as 
better fitted by nature for the chief command at Ninety-Six at 
that time than either Le Roy Hammond or Williamson; but 
he was too 5^oung. 

Samuel Hammond and Bennett Crofton raised a company of 
seventy-six men, determined to seek assistance, or to die fight- 
ing as they were. Over half these men withdrew from Ham- 
mond in a short time and hid out; but they were afterwards 
captured by the British and sent to prison where many of them 
died. Hammond and thirty-two escaped to North Carolina. 
Concealing themselves all day and traveling all night, they 
passed Saluda and Bush River, and were kinkly supplied by 
T. Harvey and Charles Moore, but still they could hear of no 
party of Whigs whom they could join. Near the foot of the 
mountains they came to the home of Calvin Jones, a good 
Whig. He was absent and Mrs. Jones was in great trouble, 
as she had ben ill-treated that day and her house plundered by 
a party of Tories who were on their way to the British army. 
They had taken the clothing of her children, her side-saddle, 
and wantonly destroyed what they could not carry away. Mrs. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. 1 37 

Jones told Hammond that they were seventy or eighty in num- 
ber. Hammond's Httle band, thirty-five in all, determined to 
follow and chastise them. Mrs. Jones sent her little boy, a 
lad twelve or fourteen years of age, to guide and aid them in 
the pursuit. He very gladly joined them. They followed the 
Tory trail and overtook them next morning when they were at 
breakfast. Hammond and his men immediately charged, and 
they were in the midst of the Tory camp before they w^ere 
aware of their approach. All the enemies' arms were taken, 
■ — four were killed and eleven made prisoners — these were re- 
leased on parole. Mrs. Jones' valuables were all restored to 
her and she gladly supplied the Whigs with all refreshments 
in her power. They went on their way rejoicing, with a 
number of. captured horses and a fine supply of ammunition 
and provisions. 

A day or two after this, while broiling their bacon and eating 
parched corn for bread, they heard the sound of horses' feet in 
a brisk march coming towards them. They had come within 
reach of the guns before they were discovered. On being 
hailed they answered, "Friends of America." "So are we, 
but let us know you. Men, stand to your arms." So they 
stood, both parties with their guns pointed at each other. 
Captain Edward Hampton, from the other party, advanced 
with a flag. He was well known and received a cordial wel- 
come from all of Hammond's men. Both parties, actuated by 
the same motives, and moving in the same direction, were now 
happily united. Moving on together they soon came upon the 
trail of a party as numerous as their own, whom they sup- 
posed to be enemies. They determined to attack them. Has- 
tening on they soon discovered a horse standing in the trail, a 
man lying on the ground fast asleep, but holding to the bridle. 
They surrounded him and hailed him, when he sprang up and 
boldly replied, "Friend to America, if I die for it!" His name 
was Harris, and he said he belonged to Colonel G. Clarke's 
command, which was not far ahead. He said he was obliged 
to sleep, but was going on as soon as he took a nap. They 
joined Clarke the same evening and they now numbered over 
two hundred men. They moved on into North Carolina. Then 
they learned of other parties, who had left South Carolina 
moved by the same impulse as themselues: Sumter's, Wil- 



138 HISTOKV OF KDGEFIELD. 

Hams' and Brandon's. They sent expresses to all these to let 
them know of their arrival and intentions. They were here 
joined by Captains McCall and Middle of Colonel Pickens' Regi- 
ment with a small detachment. Pickens, himself, had laid down 
his arms, but he soon afterwards resumed them, when called 
upon by the British to bear arms against his countrymen. 

Samuel Hammond was in active service from the beginning 
of the trouble until the evacuation of Charleston in December, 
1782. His rank was that of Major. He was in the battle of 
Musgrove's Mills, from which place, having heard of the 
defeat of both Generals Gates and Sumter, he moved rapidly to 
Charlotte, N. C. At Charlotte the prisoners taken from the 
British were delivered to him and conducted to Hillsboro. At 
Hillsboro he collected all the stragglers and refugees from Le 
Roy Hammond's Regiment, and others who might come into 
service. At Salisbury he formed a company and advertised 
for recruits; and collected a number, who formed part of Wil- 
liams' command at King's Mountain, in which battle some 
were killed and some severely wounded. After the battle of 
King's Mountain he was joined by some from Ninety-Six, and 
with all the men under his command he marched into North 
Carolina, where he acted a short while under Colonel Davis. 
He was at the battle of Blackstocks with Sumter — he had a 
fight at lyong Cane, near Ninety-Six. In the battle of Cowpens, 
on the 17th of June, 1781, he commanded, as Major, the left 
of the front line. From this time till the battle of Eutaw, he 
was actively engaged as a partisan. At the battle of Eutaw, 
on the 8th of September, he had the good fortune to distinguish 
himself. 

After the war he settled in Savannah; and in Georgia he 
was honored with several important posts. He was Colonel in 
the war against the Creeks on the border; member of the Leg- 
islature; elected to United States Congress in 1802. In 1805, 
he was appointed by President Jefferson Military and Civil 
Governor of Upper Louisiana (Missouri), where he remained 
until 1824. In 1824, he returned to South Carolina, where he 
received a warm welcome; and in 1827, was elected Surveyor- 
General; and in 1831, Secretary of State. In 1835, being then 
old and infirm, he retired to his Varello farm, near Hamburg, 
S. C, at which place he continued to reside until his death. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 39 

He died on the nth of September, 1842, in the 87th ^-ear of 
his age. He died on Sunday. 

On Monday, the 12th, the military of Hamburg were joined 
by those of Augusta, comprising the Clinck Riflemen and the 
Augusta Artillery Guard, all under the command of Samuel 
C. Wilson; together with the Masonic Lodges of Hamburg 
and Augusta, and the citizens of both places, formed a proces- 
sion at the corner of Covington and Market streets, Joseph 
E. Gladding acting as marshal. Minute guns were fired from 
the site of his old fort on Shultz's Hill b}- the artillery, while 
the procession followed the body of the deceased Veteran, 
with the solemn sounds of the muiRed drums. When they 
arrived at the family burial ground, above Campbellton, the 
remains were lowered into the vault with Masonic honors, and 
a volley fired over it by the escorting infantry. 

"It is remarkable," says his biographer, "that although so 
much of his earl}' life was familiarized with battles and blood- 
shed, he preserved his natural gentleness and suavity of man- 
ner to the last — enlivening every circle where he went with 
his cheerful sallies of good humor." Dr. A. S. Hammond is 
authority for the foregoing facts in the life of his father. 

In this sketch of Samuel Hammond I have left out many 
things that would have given me great pleasure to insert; but 
I fear that this history will grow to too great a size before I 
complete it. It is very pleasant to write of such men as 
Samuel Hammond, and of many others of Edgefield, who have 
lived noble lives and played honorable parts upon the stage of 
being. The writer is a native of PMgefield, and as this work 
progresses he begins to feel that he has good ground to be 
proud of the fact. It is true, however, that many dark deeds 
have been done upon Edgefield soil — deeds of violence and 
blood. The descendants of Cain are to be found in all parts of 
the world. 

LE ROY AND SAMUEL HAMMOND. 

The following additional facts in the lives of Ee Roy Ham- 
mond and his nephew Samuel Hammond, and the descendants 
of Ee Roy Hammond, were communicated to me by the two 
brothers, C. M. and E. W. Hammond. They write from Ham- 
burg, S. C, under date of September 25, 1892: 



140 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

The first information we have of the family of Hammond is 
that of Colonel Le Roy Hammond, who came from Virginia 
in the year or about the year 1765. He married a Miss Tyler, 
a near relative of President Tyler. He lived in Augusta a few 
years, then moved to South Carolina, on the Savannah River, 
seven miles above Augusta, and named his place New Rich- 
mond in memory of his old home. He built an imposing house 
for these days; the lumber was all sawed by hand, a whip saw 
being used. The bricks for the chimneys, and the nails, which 
were wrought, were made on the plantation. The brick-layers 
and plasterers, thirty in number, were also brought from 
Europe to complete the house. This house is now .standing 
and is in very good repair; and is in possession of Major 
Andrew J. Hammond's family, who was a grandson of Colonel 
I,e Roy Hammond. 

Colonel IvC Roy Hammond established a trading post on the 
Savannah River, buying skins, furs, &c. , from the Indians, 
giving in exchange such things as they needed. These supplies 
were brought from Charleston up the Savannah by pole boats. 

He died at Snow Hill, near New Richmond in 1790. He 
left one son, L,e Roy, who was a captain in the Revolution at 
.sixteen years of age. It is related that, in one of the skir- 
mishes in which he was engaged, his cousin Colonel Samuel 
Hammond captured a number of Tories and one of them 
having a pistol concealed when in the act of firing on him (the 
colonel) Captain Hammond galloped up and cut his head in 
half, each half falling on his shoulders, one on one shoulder, 
and one on the other. The sword with which he accomplished 
this feat was made in a blacksmith shop to order, and has 
the name of the maker, Harvey, engraved thereon. This sword, 
with many hacks in it, showing the active service in which 
Captain Hammond was engaged, also his pistols, which are 
flint and steel with bra.ss barrels, handsomely mounted in silver 
with coat of arms of an Englishman, from whom they were 
taken in an engagement, are now in the possession of the de- 
.scendants of Captain Andrew J. Hammond. 

During the Revolution a notorious character, Davis, a Tory 
and robber, was captured at Cherokee Ponds, in Edgefield 
County, S. C. It fell to the lot of Captain Hammond to kill 
him. One of these pistols was used on the occasion. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 14I 

At one time while hunting in Georgia he lost his way and 
entered the camp of hostile Indians. They all sprang to their 
feet drawing their bows and tomahawks, ready to kill him. He 
not knowing their language was entirely at their mercy. He 
called the name of Le Roy Hammond, and such was the respect 
and veneration in which the name and good deeds of his father 
was held, of one accord they took him in their camp, made him 
presents and fed him and sent him on his way rejoicing. Cap- 
tain Hammond, after the war, was a colonel in the militia. A 
large fortune was left to him by his father, most of which he 
spent in a most charitable manner, giving and helping all who 
stood in need of assistance. Of this fortune there remains to 
his descendants, the children of Andrew J. Hammond, the 
valuable lands on the Savannah River and the old Homestead, 
New Richmond. Captain Le Roy Hammond left a daughter, 
Julia, who married Charles Hammond, a planter and merchant, 
of Hamburg, S. C. 

Andrew J. Hammond, his son, was born October 8th, 1814, 
and was reared by his mother at the old homestead. New 
Richmond. Mrs. Hammond survived her husband fifty-four 
5'ears, and was noted throughout Edgefield for her fine busi- 
ness habits, strong intellect, great charity, and goodness of 
heart. All these fine traits of character were transmitted to 
her son, Andrew J. Hanmiond. He was educated at the then 
noted schools of Pendleton, S. C. In 1841, he married 
Elizabeth Butler, the only daughter of the Honorable Sampson 
H. Butler. For many years he was Captain of the Edgefield 
Hussars. He was a member of the Legislature for several 
3-ears, and was a member of the Secession Convention in i860. 
Captain A. J. Hammond retired from political life, but at the 
breaking out of the late Civil War between the States he was 
elected Major of the Twenty-fourth Regiment of South Caro- 
lina Volunteers, where he ser\-ed with bravery and distinction 
until prostrated with fever and rheumatism, which confined 
him to his home until near the close of the war, when he was 
assigned a position on the staff of General A. R. Wright. 

Major Hammond was a patriot, a Christian, and a gentle- 
man; and was universally honored, loved, and respected by all 
who knew him. He died December 19th, 1882. His son, 
who bore the honored name of Le Roy, and who gave great 



142 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

promise of a noble and useful life, died ia early manhood in 
the year 1882, Major Hammond's only surviving sons are 
Edgar and Charles, who, the writer of this history has reason 
to believe, inherit the courage, the strength of character, and 
noble attributes of their illustrious ancestors. They reside on 
the lands bequeathed by their great-grandfather, Colonel Le 
Roy Hammond. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 43 



XVI. 

PICKENS. 

We gronp together the three Pickens, General Andrew, of 
the Revohitton; his son Andrew, and the late F. W. Pickens, 
Governor of South Carolina. We will take the last first. 
Governor Francis W. Pickens was not a native of Edgefield, 
but he lived so many years of his life in Edgefield District that 
we can well lay claim to him as one of Edgefield's sons. He 
was born in Pendleton District, in that part which is now 
Oconee County. His father, Andrew Pickens, moved to 
Alabama in 1819, and Francis was first sent to Athens College, 
in Georgia, and afterwards to the South Carolina College, 
from which institution he graduated with a high reputation for 
talents, honor, and energy. Mr. John C. Calhoun, who was 
his relation, regarded him as the most promising 5'Oung man 
in the State at that time. He read law at Edgefield, was 
admitted to the bar, and was soon afterwards elected a member 
of the Legislature. He succeeded Mr. McDuffie in Congress, 
where he established a high character as a statesman and 
as a debater. He resigned his seat in Congress and was elected 
to the State Senate, where he served several sessions. He 
was then appointed by President Buchanan Minister to Russia. 
After his return home he was elected Governor of the State, 
just before Secession and the breaking out of the great Civil 
War. After the war he was a member of the State Conven- 
tion, which met in 1865, while B. F, Perry was Provisional 
Governor. This was his last public service to the State. He 
was married three times and left children, daughters, by each 
marriage; but no son to transmit his name to posterity. He 
was proud of his ancestry, and had reason to be. 

General Andrew Pickens, grandfather of Francis W. , was a 
native of Pennsylvania, but moved to South Carolina some 
3"ears before the Revolution. From the beginning of the 
troubles he was an ardent supporter of Independence, and was 
engaged in active service in the field during nearly the whole 
of the war. There was a little while, after the fall of Charles- 
ton and the surrender of General Lincoln, when the whole 



144 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

upper country seemed paralyzed, in which he was quiescent as 
a paroled prisoner. When ordered by the British authorities 
to take up arms, in violation of his parole, against his country- 
men, he immediately resumed his arms, and took the field in 
their defence. He fought at Augusta and received the sun- 
render of that place; he fought at Ninety-Six, and was often 
before the celebrated Star Redoubt. A brother of his was 
killed there; another brother was taken prisoner, and delivered 
to the Tories — but, indeed, all the garrison were Tories — who 
took him over into Georgia and gave him to the Indians, who 
burned him to death on a pile of lightwood. General Pickens 
had chief command and gained the glorious victory over the 
Tory, Colonel Boyd, at Kettle Creek; he had a command at 
Cowpens, and gave General Morgan great assistance in gaining 
that victory; he fought Colonel Pyle, on Ham River, N. C, 
and destroyed his command of three hundred men; he was shot 
from his horse by a musket ball at the battle of Eutaw, and 
was picked up by the soldiers as dead, but he soon recovered. 
These and other services to the State and country mark him as 
one of the most active, energetic, and useful men of the time. 
He sat in the first county court ever held at the old Black 
House, near Abbeville Court House. His son Andrew, when 
a child, drew the first jury ever impaneled in Abbeville Dis- 
trict after Independence. It is a fact worthy of honorable 
mention in his career that, when General Davidson, of North 
Carolina, died the brigade, which was commanded by him 
from the Mecklenburg section, elected General Pickens to 
command them; so that at that time he was a General in both 
States. It is also a fact in his career that he never received 
any pay for his services. 

He was elected Representative in the United States Congress 
in the year 1793. He then resigned his commission of Major 
General in the State Militia, and recommended the appoint- 
ment of William Butler. The appointment was made, and 
about this time a son was born to General Butler, whom he 
named Andrew Pickens Butler, as a graceful and grateful com- 
pliment to General Pickens. 

Andrew Pickens, son of General Andrew Pickens of the 
Revolution, was a colonel commanding a regiment on the Ca- 
nadian frontier during the war of 181 2. In 181 7 he was elected 



HirTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 1 45 

Governor of the State, but soon afterwards moved to Alabama 
•(1819.) 

Besides the services of General Pickens, already mentioned, 
he rendered others to the country which should not be omitted. 
He held the treaty of Hopewell with the Cherokee Indians, by 
which all the western part of South Carolina was obtained; he 
was one of the commissioners appointed by President Jefferson 
to run the line between Georgia and Tennessee; and also the 
line between Georgia and South Carolina. He held the treaty 
of Milledgeville; that of Huntsville, and of Natches with the 
Indians; and was one of the first white men to pass down the 
Cumberlar.d River, and was often shot at by the savages 
on the banks. In fact he was one of the most active 
and useful men of the whole South during the period of the 
Revolution and the year following. His home was never at 
any time in Edgefield; but he was of Ninety-Six and we have 
a right to claim him as our own through his illustrious grandson, 
F. \V. Pickens, whose home for many years was at Edgefield. 

CAPTAIN RICHARD JOHNSON. 

Whether Captain Richard Johnson w^as born in Edgefield or 
not, is not known. His father came from Virginia and settled 
near Campbellton, on the Savannah River. Richard was about 
eighteen years old at the time of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. He took that side at the first and clung to it without 
wavering until the close. He was a captain in Samuel Ham- 
mond's cavalry. He had one great quality, which always 
inspired his comrades with confidence — coolness in time of 
danger. As an instance of his coolness and readiness it is 
related of him that at Eutaw, in retreating before the enemy, 
as he passed a cannon, he stopped and spiked it with a nail 
which he carried in his pocket. He was the man for the occa- 
sion, and he was always ready. Cunningham, on his return 
to the low country, after his celebrated raid in 1781, while 
feeding one day at the lower Fork of Little Saluda, his force 
at the time consisting of about one hundred and fifty men, sud- 
denly saw Hammond appear on the opposite side with about 
seventy men. Hammond finding the odds so much against 
him, determined not to cross then, but to follow and harrass 
them until he received reenforcements. Captain Johnson 



146 HISTORY OF EDGEFIKUJ. 

wanted to cross and attack at once, and said if thirty men 
would volunteer and go with him he would cross and make 
the attack. Thirty men did volunteer and among the number 
was Zachary Smith Brooks, grandfather of Preston S. Brooks. 
Hammond interfered and forbade the movement; placed him- 
self in the way and gave a peremptory order to halt. Ham- 
mond was right. It would have been madness for thirty men 
to attack one hundred and M\.y under Bloody Bill. The next 
day General Pickens came up with them and the pursuit was 
continued as far as Orangeburg. 

Johnson received high praise for his conduct. And the bold 
spirit he exhibited on this and on all occasions, made him very 
popular. 

In 1806 he was elected to the Legislature and continued to 
be a member of that body nearly all the remainder of his life. 
He died in 18 17 at his residence in Edgefield. He was opposed 
to the establishment of the South Carolina College; but after 
he saw the good resulting from it he frankly acknowledged his 
error. He left a handsome fortune, but no children to inherit it. 

MICHAEL WATSON. 

Michael Watson's first essay in arms with the militia of 
South Carolina was in 1762, in the expedition against the 
Cherokee Indians led b)^ Colonel Grant of the regular army. 
And after that he was found very forward, brave, and efficient 
in opposition to the lawless banditti in 1767 and 1768. I find 
HO mention of the time when Michael Watson's father settled 
in Edgefield, but he must have been amongst the first in that 
section of the country. At that time there were no courts 
nearer than Charlestown. Edgefield, or rather Ninety-Six, 
for Edgefield was not known until a good many years after- 
wards, was filling up very rapidly with people from 1 760 to 
1770, not only with good industrious settlers, but with a great 
many who were not so. 

The peace of 1763 turned loose a great many soldiers on 
both sides of the Atlantic, who had been rendered unfit for the 
arts of peace, and who sought to live by preying upon the 
property of others. Many of these sought refuge in the Dis 
trict of Ninety-Six as a secure asylum, and as a good field for 
their operations, as there were no courts nearer than Charles- 



HISTORY OF EDGEF'IELB. 1 47 

town, which was. a Ixundred and fifty or two hundred miles 
away. For peaceable, industrious citizens to carry offenders 
such a distance for trial and punishment, imposed upon them a 
burden much too great for them to bear. To lift this burden, 
or to avoid it, they organized themselves into bands of Regu- 
lators, so that when offenders w'ere caught they could be dealt 
with at home. Such organizations may, and do, work well for 
awhile in extreme cases; but they soon fall off from the high. 
plane of established law and order, and degenerate into mere- 
instruments for the gratification of personal revenge. In this 
case much good was done, and the Regulators succeeded in 
their object and purpose. The attention of the authorities c£ 
the Province was called to the deplorable condition of affairs m 
the up country, and seven additional courts Vv-ere established ic 
different parts of the Province; one of which w^as at Camden;, 
one at Orangeburg; and one at Ninety-Six. But before these 
courts were established we find that in 1767 a band of marau- 
ders made an inroad among the neighbors of Michael Watson. 
on the Ridge, and threatened the life of his father. Michael,. 
William, and their father, with two other men, pursued them 
about thirty miles. When they overtook them they found 
them lodged in a house in which they had taken shelter. The 
Watson party advanced and were fired upon by tliose inside. 
Old Mr. Watson, William, and one other were instantly killed.. 
Michael was wounded, but he and the other survivor rushed, 
into the house before those inside could reload their guns. 
Michael killed two of them; his friend, whose name is not 
known, wounded another, but the survivors made their escape. 
Some of them were afterwards captured and taken to Charles- 
town and tried. 

November 3d, 1767, nine persons were convicted of plunder,,. 
horsestealing, and murder. One Ezekiel Tyrrel also was con- 
victed of burning Watson's corn crib, and was sentenced to be 
hung June ist, 1768. The troubles grew worse and worse- 
until the marauders embodied under Colonel Scovial, who hadl 
friends at court, paraded under arms and made ready for battle„ 
This brought matters to a crisis. The matter was laid before 
the Governor and Council, and soon afterwards the courts were 
established, and regularly held for tlie trial of all offenders by 
judge and jury. 



148 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

When the Revolutionary War began Watson was already 
well known for his courage and patriotism. In the war against 
the Cherokees, in 1776, he rendered very efficient service at 
Little River, when the division was in some confusion, by 
collecting a chosen band and charging the Indians, driving 
them back and so saving the division. After the fall of Char- 
lestown, and the British and Tories became dominant in the 
up country, on one occasion a party surrounded his house at 
night while he was in bed. He heard them talking at one end 
of the house about the mode of attack. He did not stay long 
upon the order of his going, but went at once, and seizing his 
gun he ran out of the door at the other end of the house, and 
escaped to the woods about fifty yards distant. He then began 
to call out, as if to collect a body of men on guard: "Here 
they are! Come on, boys! Charge!" He then fired off his 
gun. The Tories were frightened and somewhat disgusted, 
and left speedily. 

At another time his house was surrounded in the open day, 
when he was alone with his family. He leaped out through a 
v/indow and ran for the woods. The enemy fired at him as 
long as he was in sight, but he escaped unhurt, though his 
clothes had several bullet holes through them. Afterwards a 
Tory Colonel, Kin Williams, came to his plantation with three 
hundred men, each wnth a green oak leaf in his hat. Watson 
was not at home at the time, or he would probabl}^ have been 
killed. They burned every house on the place; killed every 
hog and cow, and all the poultr5^ and either destroyed or car- 
ried away all the provisions. With the assistance of his neigh- 
bors, he made another home about eight miles avraj^ but he 
v/as still frequently disturbed. On one occasion a man named 
Hartley undertook to carry off the only horse he had left. 
Watson was then at home and was too much for Hartley. He 
fired upon him, wounded him in the arm, and took him 
prisoner; made him go home with him, dressed his wound, and 
treated him with the greatest kindness. Such kind treatment 
from Watson and his family had so good an effect upon Hartley 
that he left the Tories, became a good Whig, and served under 
Watson. Often after the war he was heard to relate these 
facts. 

Watson's career was brought to a close a short time before 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. I49 

the close of the war. In May, 1782, hearing of a body of 
Tories in Dean's Swamp, near Orangeburg, Watson and Wil- 
liam Butler determined to attack them. Watson's men were 
mounted, armed with rifles and muskets; Butler's were cavalry, 
armed with pistols and cutlasses. These Tories were com- 
manded by Bloody Bill Cunningham, and in hopes to be able 
to surprise them, Watson and Butler ma'ched with great 
rapidity. On the way they captured a disaffected man, named 
Hutton; but he made his escape, and gave the Tories warning 
just before they reached the camp. As soon as his escape was 
known Watson wanted to stop the advance, but Butler was for 
pushing forward. Butler's wish prevailed; and as they ad- 
vanced they saw two men who seemed to be trying to hide. 
Butler, Watson, and Sergeant Vardel rode forward to capture 
them. Watson then discovered that they were only a deco}', 
and warned the others, but too late. The Tories, seeing that 
they were discovered, fired upon the Whigs and brought down 
Watson, Vardel, and several others. Butler brought off the 
wounded men, but now found that the infantry had very little 
ammunition left, and that the Tories, twice the number of the 
Whigs, were advancing upon them. He immediately made 
John Corley, a brave and gallant 3^outh, his First lyieutenant; 
and they charged so hotl}' upon the enemy's lines that they 
were thrown into confusion. The whigs pressed upon them so 
fiercely and used their broad swords so rapidh' that they could 
not rally, and sought safety in the swamp. As the Whigs 
returned from the chase they found Vardel alive, but he expired 
in the effort to wave his hand and to shout "hurra!" They 
buried him on the field. Watson was carried to Orangeburg. 
He was alive when they reached that place, but he died soon 
afterwards, and was buried in that village with military 
honors. 

Shall we relate a little story of this battle? A smart young 
man, name not given, was very anxious to distinguish him- 
self, never having been in battle. He .sought the office of 
Lieutenant and was elected. Mounted on a beautiful fill3^ he 
advanced bravely to the attack. When they found the enemy 
and dismounted to make the attack, he dismounted also, 
hitched his horse and advanced on foot with the others. When 
the Tories rose and poured in their fire, seeing the number 



ff50 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

that fell besides Captaiu Watson, the young man could not 
■stand it; his courage evaporated; he turned and fled, and, for- 
jgetting his fine filly, never stopped until he reached home, 
-spreading the report that all the party had been killed except 
himself. The horse was saved by those who brought off the 
wounded. When they reached Orangeburg the owner of the 
iilly never making any claim, she was sold and the money she 
l?rought was expended in rum and other refreshments. Some 
others of Watson's men also ran off — names not known. I am 
laot much inclined to blame anybody for running out of danger 
when he can save his bacon by it. Discretion is the better 
part of valor, always. 

FRANCIS SALVADOR. 

In a history of Edgefield, it is due to Mr. Salvador, whose 
name appears in every history of the State, that something 
sliould be said of him more than the mere casual mention of 
his name. He was the intimate friend of Colonel I^e Roy 
.Hannnond. He was killed in the second battle of the war 
'With the Cherokees in 1776, and his death was much lamented. 
He v/as highly accomplished, honorable, and generous. He 
was a native of England, but of Hebrew parents and a Hebrew 
in religion. He inherited a large fortune from his father, 
Jacob Salvador, which he increased by marriage. He came to 
South Carolina in the year 1774, with his friend, Mr Richard 
A. Rafeloy, purchased negroes, and a large tract of land in 
Ninety-Six District, and lived honored and respected. He 
became a member of the General Assembly, and was warmly 
attached to the cause of Independence. He was the first man 
killed in the battle. He was wounded twice — was scalped 
-and died in less than an hour, unconscious of the bai-barous 
-act. 

THE MARTINS. 

The family of Martins in Edgefield were remarkable during 
the Revolution for being united in the cause of Independence. 
They were all Whigs and brave men. There were seven 
brothers, and all took active parts and all made good soldiers. 
All survived the w^ar, except one, William, who was the oldest. 
He was Captain of Artillery, and was killed at the siege of 
Augusta. He was one of the oldest captains in the service. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 15 1 

These brothers were named William, Hartley, James, John, 
Edmund, Marshall, and Matthew. Matthew was alive in 
1846, living in Tennessee; he died near the close of that year. 
The wives of these men were about as good and true soldiers 
as their husbands, if the following story be correct, of which 
there is no doubt: 

Learning that important despatches were sent up the country 
by the enemy, Mrs. William and Mrs. Bartley Martin deter- 
mined to waylay the courier and capture the papers. They 
dressed themselves in their husbands' clothes, (perhaps they 
were in the habit of wearing the breeches any how), took po- 
sition near the road where the express must pass. Directly the 
courier appeared with a guard of two British officers. As they 
came up the young women presented their muskets and de- 
manded their instant surrender. The officers, panic stricken, 
surrendered and were paroled at once. The ladies then took 
the despatches, hastened home through the woods and without 
loss of time sent their prize to General Greene. The officers 
soon appeared on their return and asked for accommodation as 
travellers. This was granted. Mrs. Martin asked how it w^as 
that they returned so soon? They told her that they had been 
taken prisoner by two rebel boys; and the}^ showed her their 
paroles. The ladies rallied them and asked if they were not 
armed. They said yes; but were so surprised that they could 
not use their arms. Mrs. Martin allowed them to depart next 
morning without letting them know who their captors were. 
These Martins were of Martintown, on the Sayannah side of 
Edgefield. A more extended account of this family will be 
given. 

CUNNINGHAM AND HAMMOND. 

One purpose of Cunningham when he made his celebrated 
raid into the up-country in 1781, was the capture of Samuel 
Hammond, whom he expected to find at Anderson's Mills, on 
the Saluda, near Island Ford, as he heard he was then stationed 
at that place. Hammond w^as not there when Cunningham 
passed. From Cloud's Creek to Anderson's Mills his path 
was one of fire and blood. He crossed Saluda at Island Ford, 
went on to Hays' station, in the lower edge of Laurens, and 
put Colonel Hays and all his command to the sword. 



152 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

MRS. CRUGER AT NINETY-SIX. 

The following anecdotes of the residence of Mrs. Cruger at 
Ninety-Six may not be without interest to the readers of this 
book: 

While the British occupied Ninety-Six the family of the 
commandant, Colonel Cruger, was staying at the house of 
Colonel James Mayson, which was about three miles from the 
town. Mayson was a man of family with several lovely, lively 
daughters. The officers of the garrison would frequently call 
and spend the evening there, and it sometimes happened that 
some of the rebels would also visit there and if the)' met any 
British officers all passed off pleasantly, as they regarded Colo- 
nel Mayson' s home as neutral ground. Suddenly one da 5^ a 
cannonade is heard at Ninety-Six, and the ladies soon learned 
that General Greene's forces had attacked the Star battery. 
The ladies, in great'alarm, immediately began collecting their 
movable values, jewelr)-, &c. , and Mrs. Cruger sewing up her 
guineas in belt.-', so that she could secure them about her per- 
son. A young lady, afterwards the wife of General William 
Butler, says she assisted Mrs. Cruger in sewing up her guineas. 
The other ladies, very probably, had no guineas to hide. 
The}' had scarcely finished their work and completed .their 
preparations for a speedy departure, when a number of armed 
men in American uniform, marched into the enclosure. The 
ladies were much alarmed, but the commanding officer ad- 
vanced and asked to speak with any one of the family. He 
stated that he had been as sent guard to protect Mrs. Cruger 
and the family, and that they need be under no apprehension, 
and that the guard would remain as long as necessary. Tliis 
attention was very well and thankfully received by Mrs. 
Cruger, Colonel Cruger and all his officers. When the siege 
was raised the guard was withdrawn, and when they parted 
Mrs. Cruger gave the officer commanding two guineas. 

Mrs. Butler also relates that soon after this, when she had 
returned home to the house of her stepfather, Mr. Savage, near 
Saluda Old Town, she first saw William Butler, her future 
husband. A handsome 3'oung officer, with a rose cockade in 
his hat, rode up to the house alone and inquired if any persons 
had been there who might be stragglers from the American 
army; if they had taken anything away, and in what direc- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 53 

tion the}' had gone. Mrs. Butler told him they had taken 
nothing from the house but that they had gone in a direction 
which led her to believe that their purpose was to steal their 
horses. The lieutenant then gave a signal and he was soon 
joined by his men. They pursued; saved the horses; captured 
the stragglers and took them safely into camp. 

Only a little while before this occurred, a 5-oung Virginia 
officer, named Wade, who had been badly wounded in a skir- 
mish with some of Lord Rawdon's troops near the "Old 
Town," and had fallen from his horse, was brought into the 
house. While all were anxious and solicitous about his wel- 
fare, he thought onh' of his horse, and all he could say was, 
"Don't let them carry off my horse." 

MRS. DILLARD AND MRS. THOMAS. 

These ladies were not of Edgefield, but inasmuch as Colonel 
Samuel Hammond, wdio was of Edgefield, in his notes of the 
Battle of Cedar Springs, in Spartanburg District, relates the 
story, and I feel sure that it is not out of place here. Colonel 
Hammond says: 

"Mrs. Dillard, who had given our party milk and potatoes 
the day before this battle, stated that Ferguson and Dunlap, 
with their party of Tories came there on the next evening. 
They inquired after Clarke's party, their numbers, &c., &c., 
and she gave them as little information as possible. They or- 
dered her to prepare supper with despatch; and while she was 
so employed, she heard one of the Tory officers tell Ferguson 
that he had just been informed that the rebels under Clarke 
were to camp that uight at the Green, or Cedar Springs. It 
was immediatel}^ resolved to attack them that night, and Mrs. 
Dillard's husband being with Clarke, she resolved to give them 
notice of it. As soon as she could set out the supper she 
slipped oflT to the stable, bridled a young horse, and, without 
a saddle, galloped off to apprise Clarke of his danger; under 
an impression that the enemy were too numerous to justify 
battle with them. She arrived just in time, for Dunlap had 
been sent forward by Ferguson, with orders to attack and 
detain us until he should come up with the remainder. Dunlap 
had advanced rapidl}' and charged soon after we had paraded 
and were ready for his reception. The lady returned home in 
safety and deserves well of her country. 



154 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

"The credit of giving this seasonable notice to the Americans 
has also been claimed for Mrs. Thomas, the heroic mother of 
Colonel J. Thomas, jun. , and no doubt with reason — the}^ both 
did it. With such patriotic matrons and with a peasantry who 
refused to take protection, or acknowledge submission to the 
British forces, well may this District be designated as Spartan- 
burg. ' ' 

Mrs. Thomas rode sixty miles to give Colonel Clarke the 
information. The foregoing should have appeared in the 
Sketch of Samuel Hammond and his Services, but was over- 
looked and inadvertently left out. 

PICKENS AND WILLIAMSON. 

After the battle of Guilford Court House, N. C, March 25, 
1 78 1, General Greene determined to return to South Carolina, 
and detached Major Samuel Hammond of South Carolina, and 
Major James Jackson of Georgia, from his army with orders to 
penetrate to the Savannah River and open communication with 
friends of Independence on both sides, in order that he might 
receive support in his progress through. When they came 
into Ninety-Six District, they sent for Generals W^illiamson 
and Pickens, the most influential men in that part of the 
country. They both attended the call and w^ere invited by 
Hammond and Jackson to unite with them in carrying out 
General Greene's views. They stated that that they w^ere 
prisoners on parole, on the terms of the surrender in Charles- 
ton, and although these terms had been violated as to some 
who had been ordered out by the British, yet, as to themselves, 
the terms had not been violated, and they did not feel justified 
in breaking their parole. The British Commander soon re- 
ceived information of the arrival of the Americans in the Dis- 
trict, and at once issued the order calling upon and requiring 
Andrew^ Williamson and Andrew Pickens to enter upon active 
service in support of the Royal authority. Pickens imme- 
diately joined his countrymen in arms and ever after was a 
gallant and efflcient leader. Williamson submitted; and after 
awhile left the District of Ninety-Six; retired to the neighbor- 
hood of Charleston, and always after remained within the 
British lines; but never, as far as is known, bore arms against 
his countrymen. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 155 

FORT GALPHIN-GEORGE GALPHIN. 

On the arrival of Colonel I,ee at Augusta, during the siege 
of that place, after the capture of Fort Granby, he sent down 
Captain Rudolph with his regulars to assist in the siege of Fort 
Galphin. The fort was soon taken. The capitulation was 
signed by Captain Rudolph. This capture was of great impor- 
tance to the American cause. A large amount of arms and 
military stores, blankets, clothing, small arms, ammunition, 
salt, and hospital stores were captured in the fort and in the 
boats on the river — all of immense value to the Americans. 
Without this seasonable supply it is doubtful whether Fort 
Cornwallis could have been taken. 

Fort Galphin was on Silver Bluff, the property afterwards of 
Governor James H. Hammond and his descendants, at that 
time owned by George Galphin, whose dreaming match with 
the Indian Chief will be given. Mr. Galphin, Assistant Su- 
perintendent of Indian affairs, was a devoted friend to the 
American cause, and by his influence with the Indians much 
bloodshed was prevented. He also frequently assisted the 
Americans in their wants — general as well as individual — with 
his fortune; which was large. 



156 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XVII. 

NORRIS TOWNSHIP. 

The history of Norris Township is here given as it is related 
by Mr. John M. Norris, who, in November, 1891, was in his 
seventy-fifth year, and who was born and raised in the town- 
ship, and has resided all his life within a mile of where his 
father and grandfather lived and died. 

Norris Towaiship lies in the eastern border of the county and 
embraces a considerable portion of the famous Ridge Plateau, 
from the Lexington County line west to Ward Township, a 
distance of ten or twelve miles, and extends northwest to the 
Rhinehart and Mobley Townships, and embraces within its 
area Cloud's Creek, West Creek, and Norris Greek, all three of 
which have their source on the .Ridge and flow in a northwest 
direction. This section of our county cannot better be described 
than in the words of Professor Morse in his Universal Geogra- 
phy. He says: "The Ridge is a remarkable elevated belt of 
land extending from the Savannah to Bush River. It is a 
fine, healthy belt of land, well watered and of good soil. The 
Edistos ha\'e their rise on this Ridge, as well as creeks running 
into the Saluda. These w^aters interlock, and the traveler on 
the. old Ridge Road crosses branches alternately running in 
opposite directions. As you advance northwest from the sum- 
mit of the Ridge, commences a country exactly resembling the 
Northern States, or like Devonshire in England or Eangudoc 
in France. The hills and vales, with all their verdure and 
variegated beauty, present themselves t^ the eye. Here 
heaven has bestowed its blessings with a most bounteous hand. 
The air is temperate and healthful. It is well watered, and 
the fertility of the soil is equal to ever}^ vegetable production. ' ' 

This description by Professor Morse was intended for all the 
up country as well as Norris Township. Many changes have 
been made since that was written. The beautiful and majestic 
forests have dwindled away. Only here and there a small 
copse of the original woods is to be seen. The verdure and 
variegated beauty do not gladden the eye as of old. The hills 
and vales have been dispossessed of much of their fertile soil 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 157 

by improper husbandry. Gullies and barren hills, like the 
wrinkles of old age, bear witness to the fact. 

Among the earliest settlers of the township was William 
Norris, grandfather of Mr. John M. Norris, who came from 
Pennsylvania, and settled on West Creek about the year 1750, 
and died in 1780. About the same time William Sawj'er set- 
tled in the same neighborhood. Then Busheys, Bateses, Longs, 
Padgetts, Whittles, Yarboroughs, Smiths, Warrens, and others, 
on the eastern portion of the township; while on the Ridge 
and western side were the Watsons, Simpkinses, Perrys, 
Asbills, Holstons, Burtons, Reynoldses, and Williamses, with 
the Bodies, Herlongs, DeLoaches, and many others, whose 
names cannot be recalled at present. 

William Norris was of the Quaker persuasion. He left three 
sons, Nathan, William, and Stephen, and also several daugh- 
ters. All these lived long and useful lives. The wife of 
William Norris was Agnes Federick, a woman of remarkable 
qualities. By the death of her husband she was left alone, to 
take care of and to raise and train her children. Her training 
was so excellent that it is said that neither one of them was 
ever known to use profane language. Nathan, the oldest, was 
the patriarch of the Norris family. His education was imper- 
fect, but he had a clear and strong mind. Benevolence supplied 
his strongest incentive of action, and the ser\ung of others 
seemed to have been his favorite mode of serving himself. 
His public spirit manifested itself throughout his whole life by 
self-sacrifice and deeds of kindness. If he had any fault to be 
complained of, it was on the side of mercy. He was eminently 
a man of mercy and of peace. He exercised more leniency 
towards his slaves, and he had a goodly number of them, than 
perhaps any man in Edgefield County. During the greater 
part of his life he served as Justice of Peace, County Commis- 
sioner, &c. While inheriting from his father some of the 
Quaker spirit, he was a Baptist, and contributed more to the 
building and maintaining of the old West Creek Baptist Church, 
of Avhich he was a member, than any one of the other members. 
In a large degree he was given to hospitality. He was kind 
and charitable to the poor, and was beloved and respected by 
all who knew him. 

The Watson family have descended from Michael Watson, 



158 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

who was killed in the old War of Independence, and of whom 
a biographical sketch is elsewhere given. His descendants 
have been prominent in this township and in the county, and 
have been honored by the people of Edgefield. Major Tillman 
Watson, than whom none of the Watson family ever stood 
higher, was a man of sterling qualities. Although his educa- 
tion was limited, yet his sense of justice, his patriotism, his 
integrity, and his clear, good sense caused him to be respected 
and promoted by the people of Edgefield County, who often 
bestowed upon him the honors he deserved by sending him to 
represent them in the I^egislature, sometimes in the Senate and 
sometimes in the House. 

The Holston family of this township descended from Moses 
Holston, Sr. , who died about the year 1838. He had a num- 
ber of sons and daughters who settled in the township, and 
who, at one time, owned and cultiv^ated a considerable portion 
of the best lands. They were remarkably successful as cotton 
planters, and continued buying land and slaves with the pro- 
duce of their cotton fields. No one of them was more success- 
ful than Wade Holston, who was the 5-oungest son of Moses, 
Sr. Before the War of Secession he owned a large number of 
slaves and several thousand acres of land. He was ambitious 
to succeed, and he usually did succeed in all he undertook. 
He represented the county in the Legislature for awhile. The 
greater part of his property was accumulated by industry and 
perseverance. 

The William Sawyer, who was cotemporary with William 
Norris, Sr. , is the head of all the Sawyers of this section of 
Edgefield. He had a son named Ansel Sawyer, who was 
killed with Captain James. Butler at the massacre on Lick 
Creek in time of the Revolution. He was only 17 or 18 years 
of age. He was horribly mutilated, having been chopped to 
pieces by the Tories with their swords. He was carried home 
from the battle ground on a ground slide by an old negro slave 
named Beister, who belonged to the widow of William Norris, 
Sr. William Norris, her son, a lad at the time, was an e5'e 
witness, and gave the facts as here stated to his son, John M. 
Norris. 

In reading and writing history, I often pause and ask my- 
self whether men are not already devils, and this world a bit 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 159 

of hell set apart for their temporary residence and habitation ; 
a world of probation to see whether any of them can ever be 
restored to that better condition from which they all fell. 

On the waters of West Creek, in a shady grove near a 
purling spring, stands the old West Creek Baptist Church, 
which took its name from the creek on which it is situated. 
It was constituted in 1790. Old men relate that long before 
this church was regularly constituted a rude house of worship 
existed at the same place, and that services were occasionally 
held here. This old church has gone through many vicissi- 
tudes, but at present it is in a flourishing condition. It is the 
mother of several other Baptist Churches in Edgefield, of some 
also in Lexington. One of the.se is Bethel Church, on the 
Ridge, from which sprang the Ridge Spring Baptist Church. 
All three of these churches have flourished under various 
pastors, and have largely contributed and exercised an influence 
for good in the township. 

The old Methodist Church, Providence, situated on Cloud's 
Creek, was also constituted very early. The Boddys, Herlongs, 
Bouknights, Mitchells, and other families were prominent in 
building up and sustaining Methodism in this section. Their 
descendants are following in their footsteps, and are faithfully 
doing the same work in which their fathers were engaged. 

In this township are found immense quantities of granite 
rock, both the Poaphoritic and Syenitic. Excellent millstones 
are being dressed and shipped to all parts of the State by E. W, 
McLenna, the energetic and enterprising editor and proprietor 
of the Johnston Monitor. These beds of Syenitic granite are 
inexhaustible. The stone is of fine grain and capable of a 
high polish, which qualities make it very suitable for monu- 
ments, tombstones, &c. These quarries are near the C, C. & 
A, Railroad, and can supply building material for all time; 
clays for the making of excellent brick abound. 

The present inhabitants of the townsnip are mostly native 
and to the manner born, descendants of the original settlers. 
In common with all other parts of the country, Norris Town- 
ship bore its share of the sacrifices made for the Lost Cause, in 
sending its sons to the war, a large portion of whom never re- 
turned, and are buried far from home, resting in soldiers' 
graves by the wayside; or in some cemetery with no headstone 



l6o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

to mark the spot. They suffered much also in the loss of 
property, and endured all the hardships incident to the great 
changes produced by the war and by the reconstructive 
process. 

The C, C. & A. Railroad runs through this township, along 
the old Ridge Road, and has been the cause of many and great 
changes. Three towns have sprung up like magic within the 
boundaries of this township, Batesburg, Ridge Spring, and 
Monetta. Batesburg is a little over the line in Lexington 
County, but a considerable slip of Et'gefield territory is within 
the corporate limits, and the greater part of its trade is drawn 
from Edgefield County, Batesburg is a flourishing town, with 
some twenty stores, two banks, two colleges, two churches, 
Baptist and Methodist. It is a considerable place of trade. 

Ridge Spring is named after the Ridge on which it is situated, 
and the bold, unfailing spring that gushes out of the earth in 
the very midst of the town. This spring is the source of 
Cloud's Creek. This is a beautiful town for situation, occupy- 
ing as it does the original home of the Watsons. R. B. Watson, . 
Esq., a grandson of Elijah Watson, Sr. , is now living (1891) 
in the house in which his grandfather lived and died. 

Monetta is a small place on the railroad between Ridge 
Spring and Batesburg, and has sprung up since 1885. 

In the earlier times in this section the facilities for getting 
an education were very poor. Old field schools, and they with 
rather incompetent teachers, were the only chance, with some 
rare exceptions. In 1826, John Knox established a school 
near the Lexington line, which perhaps did more in educating 
the people in this section than any other school has done. He 
was a classical scholar and continued this .school a number of 
years. It was well patronized by all in reach, and many from 
different parts of the county and State received their education 
at this school. Since the war schools, academies, and colleges 
have been established for the complete and thorough education 
of all the children. 

In complimenting the godly mothers and wives and daughters 
of this section of our county, it is but just to say that there is 
at least as great a number of industrious, discreet, amiable, 
gentle, and handsome women here in proportion to the number 
of inhabitants, as in any other section of the county or State. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. l6r 

Many might be mentioned by name, and their deeds might be 
recorded here; but as it is a lovely and adorable trait in woman 
to shun notoriety, and to modestly and faithfully fill her sphere 
of usefulness, we willj desist. But if all were written that 
might be truthfully written in her behalf, even in the narrow 
bounds of this township, it would fill many volumes, 

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene, 
The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear; 

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, 
And waste its sweetness on the desert air," 

Slaves were introduced into this township at an early period 
in its history. And cotton, the great staple of the South, was 
and still is the chief article of cultivation. The climate is mild 
and genial; the soil is good; the people are religious and indus- 
trious; and, notwithstanding the great disadvantages of unjust 
and unequal legislation and taxation, under which the pro- 
ducers of the wealth of the country labor, the inhabitants of 
Norris Township, as a rule, are prosperous and happy. 



l62 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELX). 



XVIII. 

Biographical sketches of some distinguished natives of Edge- 
field, who lived and died elsewhere are here given,' 

REV. ALEXANDER TRAVIS. 

I am indebted to the History of Conecuh County, Alabama, 
by the Rev. B. F. Riley, for the information contained in this 
section. 

Rev. Alexander Travis was born in Edgefield County, S. C. , 
on August 23rd, 1790. Reared on a farm, he was inured to 
work and hard service, and in this manner was made better 
fitted to perform the duties and undergo the labors which 
awaited him in the latter half of his life. His school education 
was quite limited, being confined to an imperfect training in 
the rudiments of English. Being a man of strong mind and 
retentive memory, he learned much by observation, and soon 
held a respectable position amongst men, as a man of thought 
and action. He was tall and dignified, and by the gravity of 
his manner commanded the respect of all who knew him. He 
was converted in 1809, and baptized into Addiel Church, in 
South Carolina. (Where is this church?) In 1810 he was 
licensed to preach, and was ordained in 18 13. He became 
pastor of several churches, and so remained until 18 17, when 
he removed to Alabama. 

He located near Evergreen, in Conecuh County, where he 
resided until his death. He wasdevoted to the Master's work, 
and gathered, as^he could, a batch of hearers from Sunday 
to Sunday, to preach to them the riches of Christ. He did 
not preach in vain. He soon collected enough of converts, 
with those who had before been members of Baptist Churches, 
to form a church near his home. This was done in 1818. 
His labors were not confined to this section, but in all direc- 
tions he worked for the building of other churches. His first 
was the old Beulah Church between Sparta and Brooklyn. 
From this as a central point, his labors radiated in all direc- 
tions. Often he would take long journeys on foot, leaving 
home frequentl}^ on Friday morning in order to meet his 
appointments at a distance. Often the streams were swollen 



HISTORY OT EDGEFIELD. 162," 

SO much that he was compelled to swim across. During the 
week he was an earnest, persistent student. His library was a 
plain English Bible, over which he pored by the aid of blazing 
pine knots, after his day's labors in the field. Through his^ 
exertions, which knew no wavering nor faltering, thriving 
churches were established in different parts of the county, and 
some in districts quite remote from others. His zeal and 
ability were so great and eminent that he remained in charge 
of several of these churches as long as he lived. Of the 
Beulah Church, the one he first organized, he was pastor 
thirty-five years; of Bellville, thirty-two. Between Burnt 
corn and Evergreen, in the Higdon settlement, a large and 
flourishing interest was established by him. By reason of his 
great parliamentary ability, he was chosen Moderator of the 
Bethlehem Association for more than twenty sessions in succes- 
sion, and because of his earnest support of the cause of educa- 
tion, he was made the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees 
of the Evergreen Academy, for many years together. So 
evenly balanced were all his powers, that he was most admir- 
ably fitted for the work assigned him by providence in a 
pioneer region. 

Elder Travis died in 1852, at his old home, where he had 
lived full thirty-five years. His death was a public calamity, 
and was universally lamented. He was a good man, and in 
many respects a great one. He was true to his principles and 
convictions of truth and right, and never shrank from their 
defence. Yet he was a meek man, as brave and good men 
always are. 

At the pulpit end of old Beulah Church may be seen to-day 
by the passer-by, a plain marble shaft, which marks the resting 
place of this sainted pioneer and hero. 

NICHOLAS STALLWORTH, SR. 

If I mistake not the name Stallworth is still an hcnored one 
in Edgefield County. 

Nicholas Stallworth, Sr., was born in Edgefield District, on 
April 25th, 1777. He moved from Edgefield to Clarke County, 
Alabama, in the year 18 17, but remained there only one year. 
In 1818, with several others, he removed to the east side of 
the Alabama River, after the troubles with the Indians had 



164 HISTORY OF RDGEFIELD. 

subsided. He made his home four miles southeast of Ever- 
green, oh the Evergreen and Brooklyn public road, where he 
continued to reside until his death, in 1836. 

Mr. Stallworth was well fitted by nature to brave the perils 
of a pioneer country. With robust frame, determined will, 
and unlimited energy, combined with business tact and shrewd- 
ness, he rapidly accumulated a handsome fortune, and became 
one of the wealthiest men in the county. He was the ancestor 
of quite a number of descendants, some of whom attained 
marked distinction. 

NICHOLAS STALLWORTH, JR. 

Prominent among the first generation of young men reared 
in Conecuh, was Nicholas Stallworth, Jr. He was born in 
Edgefield District, February 21st, 18 10. When he was only 
eight years of age he was brought with the remainder of his 
father's family to Alabama. 

He was married to Miss Martha Travis, eldest daughter of 
Rev. Alexander Travis. The result of this union was seven 
children, among whom were Robert P. Stallworth and Frank 
M. Stallworth, of Falls County, Texas; Major Nick Stall- 
worth, late of Hilliard's Legion; and Mrs. Barnett, the wife of 
Honorable Samuel A. Barnett, of Mobile. Mrs. Barnett is 
dead. 

Reared at a time and in a community where few schools 
existed, Mr. Stallworth had to depend almost entirely upon 
self-training. He lacked none of the virtues of a sterling 
citizen. Hospitable, liberal, and public spirited, he was quite 
popula*". Without himself seeking the position, he was at one 
time made Circuit Clerk of Conecuh County. When, in 1850, 
the office of Judge of Probate was made elective, he warmly 
espoused the candidacy of A. D. Cary. As early as 1838 Mr. 
Stallworth foresaw the struggle which reached its bloody cul- 
mination in 1861. The tendency of existing political issues 
caused him to predict the dismemberment of the Union, and 
the probable abolition of slavery. Mr. Stallworth died in 1853, 
in the prime of manhood. He left descendants, .sons, J. A, 
Stallworth and young Nick Stallworth, who were an honor to 
their ancestry and to Edgefield. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 1 65 

WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS, THE HERO OF THE ALAMO. 

William Barrett Travis was born in Edgefield District, S. C, 
August 9th, 1809, within four miles of Red Bank Church. He 
was the son of Mark Travis, Sr. , who was a brother of Rev. Alex- 
ander Travis, already noticed. The family moved to Conecuh 
in 18 18. Young Travis was as well educated as the times and 
country could afford. At maturity he studied for the bar at 
Claiborne, under the Honorable James Dellett. Quite earl}- in 
the year 1835 he bade farewell to his quiet home in South 
Alabama and removed to Texas. The province was then in a 
state of seething excitement. Santa Anna was Governor, Pres- 
ident or Dictator of the Republic of Mexico, of which Texas 
formed a part, and was doing his utmost to destroy the Federal 
S3^'^tem and to consolidate all power in the central government 
at the capitol city. Against this movement the Texans warmly 
protested. Young and ardent, and just from the United States, 
Mr. Travis naturally sympathized in feeliui: with the Texans. 
Early in the beginning of hostilities we fii.d him a chosen and 
willing leader. When the war actually began and Santa Anna 
invaded Texas at the head of four thousand men and marched 
upon San Antonio in the beginning of 1836, we find Colonel 
W. B. Travis in command at this point. Santa Anna's ad- 
vanced columns reached the heights of the Alazan, which over- 
looked the city of San Antonio, on the 226. of February. 
Colonel Travis had only one hundred and forty-four men, and 
with these he retired into the Alamo. As soon as Santa Anna 
occupied the city he demanded the surrender of the garrison. 
The demand was responded to by a cannon shot, for Colonel 
Travis knew too well the treacherous nature of his foe, and he 
belie^'ed that a surrender would be followed by a massacre. 
There were fourteen cannon in the Fort, but only a small sup- 
ply of powder. 

Immediately after receiving the answer to his summons for 
surrender, Santa Anna ran up a blood-red flag, proclaiming 
"No Quarter" ! On the 24th of February couriers were sent by 
Travis to San Felipe and Goliad for assistance. The Mexicans 
steadily bombarded the fort without effect. Early in the morn- 
ing of the 25th, the Mexicans brought into play all their avail- 
able guns. Towards noon Santa Anna left his head-quarters 
and gave his personal supervision to the aim of the gunners. 



1 66 HISTORT OF SDGKFIEI.D. 

At every opportunity, when screened from view, he ad- 
vanced and planted his guns nearer the fort. On the night of 
the 25th the Texans made a sally into the town and burned 
some houses that were near the fort. The next morning there 
was a brisk skirmish without any decisive result. The 
number of Mexicans was now increased and Santa Anna made 
great efforts to cut off the supply of water from the garrison. 
In this he completely failed. Again at night Travis' men made 
another sortie and burnt some houses. Meantime the Mexi- 
cans kept up the bombardment for several days together, in- 
cessantly, but without any serious result. 

On the second of March the garrison received a re-inforce- 
ment of thirty-two citizen soldiers, who had fought their way 
through the ranks of the enemy. These were commanded by 
Captain John W. Smith, of Gonzales. On the third. Colonel 
Travis sent a courier wnth a message to the State Convention 
then in session at Washington. The message w^as to the fol- 
lowing purport: "I am still here, in fine spirits and well to do. 
With one hundred and forty-five men I have held this place 
ten days against a force variously estimated at from 1,500 to 
6,000; and I shall continue to hold it until I get relief from 
my countrj^men, or I will perish in its defence. We have had 
a shower of cannon balls continuously falling among us the 
whole time, yet none of us have fallen. We have been mirac- 
ulously preserved. ' ' 

During that day. Colonel Bonham, who had been sent to 
Goliad to secure re-inforcements, returned and gave his assist- 
ance once more to the defence of the fort. That night the 
Texans again made a sally but effected nothing. The Mexi- 
cans continued heavy firing, but the defenders of the fort fired 
but seldom, as their ammunition was scarce. The fourth of 
March wore heavily away without change in the situation; but 
the beseiged knew that, unless some great and miraculous 
assistance came to them, they were doomed to a speedy and 
bloody death. Santa Anna grew tired of the seige and 
urged upon the council of officers, which he had called, the 
necessity of making a speedy assault. They w^anted to wait 
until the arrival of the heav\' seige guns. He chafed under the 
delaj^ and finally his wish prevailed. The fort was stormed. 
The attack was made from different directions, by four columns 



HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 1 67 

under the leadership of his most experienced officers. Each 
column was provided with every thing necessary; ladders, pick- 
axes, crow-bars, &c. The attack was ordered for midnight; 
but delays always occur, and it was not until precisely at four 
o'clock on the morning of March 6th, the thirteenth day of the 
seige, that the bugle sounded the advance along the whole 
Mexican line. The garrison, feeling the movement, leaped to 
their guns and poured upon their assailants a storm of lead 
and iron. Before the fire of the Texans the three columns, on 
the north, west, and east, staggered and swung back. Some 
confusion was produced, but the solid mass rallied under their 
officers and renewed the assault. This time they broke through 
the wall into the yard running round the fort. At about the 
same time the column from the South made a breach in the 
wall and took one of the guns. This cannon was commanded 
by Colonel Travis himself, and it is supposed that he was killed 
early in the action, as he was found dead near the gun. The 
Mexicans turned this gun against the last stronghold and dis- 
lodged the Texans, who took refuge in the different buildings. 
Then began a deadly, close conflict. Each building was a 
separate battle ground. Each Texan knew that his own death 
was certain, and he resolved to have as many as possible of the 
enemy to bear him company to the shades. The heroic Crock- 
ett, knowing that death was inevitable, struck down his 
enemies until, when his own dead body was found, it was in 
the centre of a circling heap of dead Mexicans. Colonel Bowie 
was lying on his bed in the last stage of consumption; but as 
the enemy rushed into his room, he shot and killed seven of 
the foe before he, himself, was killed. 

The details of the horrid massacre need not be repeated here, 
even if they could be given. The bodies of the Texans were 
collected into heaps and burned. A year later Colonel John 
N. Seguin superintended the collection and proper interment 
of the bones of these heroes. 

As you enter the capitol at Austin, you see a monument 
bearing this inscription: "Thermopylae had its messenger of 
defeat. The Alamo had none." 

Thus died the brilliant and the brave Colonel William Bar- 
rett Travis. Bonham and Bowie, sons of Edgefield as well as 



1 68 • HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Travis, went with him on the same dark journey. And 
Crockett was not far away. 

"Disturb not their slumbers, let the heroes here sleep 
'Neath the boughs of the willows that over them weep! 
Their arms are unnerved, but their deeds remain bright * 

As the stars in the dark-vaulted heaven at night! 

O, wake not these heroes! their battles are o'er! 

Let them rest undisturbed on Antonio's fair shore! 

On the river's green border as flowery dressed, 

With the hearts they loved fondly let the heroes here rest!" 

MARK BUTLER TRAVIS. 

Mark Butler Travis was not a son, but a grandson of Edge- 
field, and deserves a place in the history of the county, as he 
was with the Palmetto Regiment, a member of it, in the war 
with Mexico. His life was one of chivalrous heroism and de- 
votion to his countr}'. He was born in the neighborhood of 
Old Town, Alabama, on May i8, 1827. He was very apt in 
the acquisition of knowledge. Having read medicine he left 
home to attend a course of lectures in a distant State, being at 
the time only seventeen }-ears of age. While on the way to 
college he met up with the famous Palmetto Regiment on the 
way to join General Scott in Mexico. He at once determined 
to enlist in the Regiment and go with them to Mexico. This 
he did, and shared with the members of that Regiment the 
glories of Contreras and Cherubusco. At Cherubusco he re- 
ceived a wound in the head, which prev^ented his being with 
the Regiment when they entered the capitol city. He re- 
covered from his wourd, rejoined his comrades, and served 
through the remainder of the war. After his return home he 
was made colonel and then general of militia. He was also 
elected Clerk of the Court for four successive terms. When 
the war of Secession came on he was one of the first to respond 
to the call to arms. He enlisted in the Conecuh Guards; was 
made second lieutenant and went with the company to Vir- 
ginia. 

At t'le battle of Bull Run, or First Manassas, the gallant 
Colonel Jones of the Fourth Alabama Regiment was killed. 
To this regiment the Conecuh Guards belonged. At the time 
of Colonel Jones' death the situation was such that the whole 
regiment seemed threatened with destruction. Becoming cog- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 69 

nizant of the fact, a panic seemed inevitable, and the men 
began to turn their feet and faces towards the rear. Seeing 
the situation, Lieutenant Travis tried to stop the flight of the 
regiment, and stood with brandished sw^ord before the retreat- 
ing columns and begged them not to run. While thus exert- 
ing himself he was suddenly confronted by a burly Teuton, 
whose glaring eyes, open mouth, and dilated nostrils showed 
that he was a victim of stupendous fright, and when he saw 
the efforts of Travis to check the flight, he exclaimed: "O, 
mine friendt, my life is too schweet!" The Lieutenant, find- 
ing his efforts to stay the flight vain, concluded that discretion 
was the better part of valor, and sought a more secure position. 
He had on a very heavy pair of boots, so that he could not 
make very good time, but as he ran somewhat hastily past Dr. 
Taliaferro, the doctor called out to him: "Lieutenant, 3'ou had 
better look out, or Barnum will have those boots in his museum 
before night." 

Lieutenant Travis was honorably discharged from service on 
account of failing health and disability to perform the duties of 
a soldier before the close of the war, and died at his home of 
pneumonia in 1S64. There were combined in his character 
many elements of true nobility. 

COLONEL P. D. BOWLES. 

Pinckney Downey Bowles is a native of Soutli Carolina, and 
was born in Edgefield District, date of birth I do not know, but 
even at this date, 1891, he is not an old man. He read law 
with General Sam. McGowan. He received his educational 
training at the Citadel, in Charleston, and at the University of 
Virginia. He went to Alabama in 1859, and into the office of 
Honorable James A. .Stall worth, whose father also was a native 
of Edgefield. He remained in Mr. Stallworth's office until the 
beginning of the w^ar. In i860 he was elected Colonel of the 
Twenty-eighth Alabama Militia, and Second Lieutenant in the 
Conecuh Guards. In January, 1861, he went with his com- 
pany to Pensacola, Florida. When they returned home, upon 
re-organization, he w-as elected Captain and went as such with 
the company to Virginia. He soon became Colonel of the 
regiment, and was its brave and faithful commander during 
almost the whole of the war. He led his regiment into nearly 



170 HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 

all the battles fought in Virginia. They fought at the First 
Battle of Manassas, under General Bee. They were in the 
battles of Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Second 
Manassas, Boonesboro, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and 
Suffolk. They were in the invasion of Pennsylvania and in 
the awful conflict at Gettysburg. They went with Longstreet 
to reinforce Bragg in North Georgia, returned by Knoxville 
through East Tennessee, rejoined the army of Virginia, and 
fought in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. 
Again, they were engaged at Second Cold Harbor, and lay for 
ten months behind the defences of Petersburg, sharing in all 
the movements and assaults of that period. At last crippled, 
broken, depleted by death and wounds and sickness, they, the 
remnant of the Regiment, Fourth Alabama, surrendered at 
Appomattox two hundred and two men. Throughout all this 
period Colonel Bowles was always at the head of his regiment, 
with only one respite for a little while, in February, 1863, 
when he went home to be married to Miss Stearns, daughter 
of Judge Stearns. Towards the close of the war he was acting 
as Brigadier, having command of five regiments; though, in 
fact, he never received a commission as Brigadier. 

When he returned home he had fifty cents in his pocket, but 
he immediately resumed the practice of the law and did well. 
In 1866 he was elected County Solicitor for Conecuh County, 
which position he held for a long time. His home was at 
Evergreen in 1881. Whether he is now living, 1891, I do not 
know. 



HISTORY Off EUeSFIELD. 17^ 



XIX. 

We may as well continue our biographical sketches of the 
eminent men of Edgefield at this place, but we will study some 
of the eminent civilians of the county, as the heart grows weary 
when it dwells too long upon the deeds of fighting heroes and 
fields of blood. The names of the men of whom we now pro- 
pose to write will not be taken in exact chronological order; 
but that will make no difference in detached historical sketches. 
When we are through with these biographies, the idea then is 
to make the narrative more continuous until after the close of 
the War of Secession. 

We will take up first on the roll of illustrious civilians the 
name of Andrew Pickens Butler, who has already been briefly 
mentioned in a notice of his father, General William Butler. 
Judge Butler was born on the 19th of November, 1796, and 
died the 25th of May, 1857. He was educated first in the 
primary schools in the neighborhood where he was born. He 
then went to the celebrated Willington School, in Abbeville 
District, kept by the great teacher, Dr. Waddell. In December, 
18 1 7, he graduated from the South Carolina College. He 
then read law and was admitted to practice in December, 1818. 
He first settled in Columbia; but after the death of his brother 
George, he removed to Edgefield, and there, in partnership 
first with General Waddy Thompson and afterwards with 
Nathan L. Griffin, he had a lucrative practice. He had also 
a large practice at Orangeburg, Barnwell, and Newberry. In 
1824 he became one of the aides of Governor Manning, and as 
such, was one of the brilliant corteore which attended General 
Lafayette on his visit to the State in 1825. From 1824 to the 
close of 1833, he was in the House of Representatives, or in 
the Senate, from Edgefield. He was one of the committee in 
1827-28 charged to inquire whether Judge James should be 
removed from the bench. Judge James was an old Revolution- 
ary soldier, and the charge against him was incompetency arising 
from the excessive use of intoxicating drinks. He was found 
guilty and removed from the bench; but the Senate and the 
whole House were in tears when the sentence vras pronounced. 



172 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Ill 1833 Butler was elected one of the Circuit Judges, and 
held his first court in Charleston , in January, 1834. He was 
made Judge to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of 
Judge W. D. Martin. He was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1S46, having filled the office of Judge for thirteen 
years. In the year 1847, on a trip by steamer from Charles- 
ton to Wilmington, there came an awful storm, and while it 
raged with tremendous violence, the vessel became an unman- 
ageable hulk. The captain gave up as lost. This fact was 
communicated to Judge Butler, when he desired that the pas- 
sengers and all on board should be called forward. He then 
stated to them the sad fate which appeared to be the inevitable 
doom of all, and desired that each and every one should be 
made known to one another, so that if ever any one reached 
the land, he, she, or they might state the fate of the others. 
An elderly negro woman, the stewardess, then said: "Old 
Marster, this is no time for introductions, j^ou had better 
pray." He said: "I cannot, but, old lady, if you can pray, 
doso. " She instantly knelt down and poured out a fervent 
prayer. Almost as soon as she ceased the lights from the 
steamer sent out from Wilmington in search of them, as they 
were twenty- four hours over time, were seen bearing down to 
the rescue. The boat and all were saved. His sister, Mrs. 
Thompson, who was a member of the Baptist Church, remarked 
to the Judge, after he had narrated the circumstances to her: 
"Brother Pickens, it was that old woman's prayer which 
saved you." 

Judge Butler began his duties as Senator in 1847, and was 
continued Senator until the close of the extra session in March, 
1857, when he returned home in ill health, lingered until 
the May following, when he died. 

Judge O'Neall, in his "Sketches of the Bench and Bar of 
South Carolina," 1859, closes his notice of Judge Butler in 
these words: "In 1850, when Secession burst upon South 
Carolina, Judge Butler did not favor it — he was for a Southern 
Congress; and, in 1851 and 1852, he met the issue and South 
Carolina sustained him." 

Judge Butler was married twice. His first wife, Susan Ann 
vSimkins, the second daughter of Colonel Eldred Simkins, in a 
few months after her marriage, he followed to the tomb. His 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 73 

second wife, Miss Harriet Hayne, the daughter of Wm. 
Edward Hayne, Esq., of Charleston, he, soon after the birth of 
their only child, Mrs. Haigood, of Barnwell, saw languish and 
die. He ever after lived a widower. His mother and sister 
took charge of his lonely child. At his house was seen the 
venerable face of his mother as its mistress — her unexampled 
fortitude and cheerfulness sustained him in the dark hours of 
sorrow for the loss of wife, brothers, and sister. 

But I must pause. You all, my readers, knew Judge Butler. 
You have often joined in his merr>' laugh — you all remember 
his florid face, his head of snow, his dancing eyes, and his 
manly form. But you do not all know that which distin- 
guished him more than most men, his kind heart. No man 
was ever more devoted than he was to his mother, his child, 
his sister, and brothers — no one ever was a truer friend. 
Distress never sought him in vain. He despised a mean 
action, and the rod of cruelty and oppression he was ever ready 
to turn aside. He pitied more than he despised his enemies. 
He was a just, honest, good man in all the relations of private 
life. In public life he aimed to do right, and he sustained his 
piirposes by well directed actions and words. He was not what 
may be called an eloquent man, but he thought right, and he 
spoke as he thought. Sometimes, and indeed often, he gave 
utterance to sublime thoughts in impassioned eloquence. 

This able servant of the people is no more! He has been 
called away when few were prepared for it. His well spent 
life will be his epitaph, and entitles him to live in the memories 
of us all. 

"Statesman, yet friend to truth! Of soul sincere; 
In action faithful, and in honor clear; 
Who broke no promise, served no private end; 
Who gained no title, and who lost no friend. 
Ennobled by himself, by all approved; 
Praised, wept, and honored by hhn he loved." 

The compiler of this history may here be permitted to say 
that he sometimes met Judge Butler, and once had the honor 
to give him the address of welcome at a public dinner prepared 
in his honor at Mount Enon, a place midway between the birth 
place of his mo'.her on Saluda, and his own ancestral home on 
Big Creek. This was in the year 1854. He was then Senator, 



174 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

and the dinner and reception were tendered him by his old 
friends and neighbors. a 

JOHN F. GRIMKE. 

John F, Grimke was a Revolutionary soldier and officer. He 
was born December i6th, 1752; died at Long Branch, N. J,, 
August 9th, 1819. Mr. Grimke was made one of the Law 
Judges, March 20th, 1783. He was a member of the Legisla- 
ture at the time and Speaker of the House of Representatives 
from March, 1785, to March, 1786, there being at that time 
no hindrance, either by law or custom, to a person's holding 
these two offices at the same time. He was not popular as a 
Judge, nor, perhaps, as a man, as he was of a stern, unbend- 
ing, unsocial, uncompromising character. 

The following incident is given because the facts occurred 
at Edgefield Court House. I quote from Judge O'Neall's 
"Bench and Bar": 

"In the spring of 18 15 I first attended Edgefield Court. 
The dockets were enormous. My late friend, Solicitor Starke, 
presented forty bills of indictment for ever}^ grade of offence, 
from assault and battery to murder. Thirty-nine were found 
true. Many convictions followed. One of the Edgefield 
rowdies of the time looking on at the scene, swore it was no 
place for him. 'For,' said he, 'Starke holds and Grimke skins. ' 
Upon the issue docket there were more than two hundred 
cases. In the second week of the term, the late General 
Glascock proposed to give a dinner to the Judge and Bar. A 
civil action for assault and battery was to be tried; there were 
seven speeches to be made, one for the plaintiff and six for the 
defendant, (for at that time the rule did not exist which 
limits two speeches to a side). It was well known that if they 
all spoke as long as they could that the dinner could not be ate. 
It was therefore proposed and agreed that each of the lawyers 
for the defendant should speak fifteen minutes by the Judge's 
watch. It was accordingly laid down, and as each progressed 
to the limit, the Judge said: 'Your time is out,' and he ceased. 
At last, Mr. Bacon, who was closing for the defendant, and 
who was blessed with as fine an elocution as I ever heard, had 
scarcely finished his exordium, when the Judge said: 'Mr. 
Bacon, your time is out.' Mr. Bacon, instead of yielding, as 



HISTORY OF HDGEFIFLD. 175 

good 'taste would have directed, said: *I claim the right which 
every citizen has to be heard by his counsel.' 'Very well/ 
said the Judge, *we will leave it to the jury.* A stout man 
rose and said: "May it please your Honor, we have been tired 
of their clack for this hour.' This ended the contest." 

Solicitor Robert Starke, born near Petersburg, Virginia, 
January loth, 1762, mentioned above, though never residing 
in Edgefield, yet was Solicitor of the Southern Circuit, of 
which Edgefield formed a part, from December, 1806, to 
December, 1820. He was an able lawyer, and in his office, a 
terror to evil doers. 

JUDGE RICHARD GANTT. 

This good man, good lawyer, and merciful and just Judge, 
once made his home and practiced law at Edgefield Court 
House. He was born in Prince George County, Maryland. 
August 2nd, 1767, and died October i8th, 1850. He married 
Miss Sarah Allen in Augusta, Ga., about the year 1794, he 
having resided in Georgia two or three years previous to the 
marriage. His estimable wife died November 17th, 1848, a 
little less than two years before his own death. Few couples 
are so blest as to live a greater number of j^ears together. He 
was admitted to practice in Charleston, S. C, in 1794, and set- 
tled at Edgefield the same year. His eldest son, Thomas J., 
was born at Edgefield in 1795. He was eminently successful as 
a lawyer. He was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives 
in 1804, which position he held until 18 18, when he was elected 
Judge. Generally as Judge he leaned to merc5^'s side, and 
was disposed to favor prisoners — except in cases of homicide 
accompanied with circumstances of cruelty, when his whole 
nature revolted and carried him against the prisoner. He 
resigned as Judge in 1841, and the L,egislature presented him 
with a year's salary. Very complimentary resolutions were 
passed on the occasion, moved by Mr. Albert Rhett, in the 
House, and agreed to by the Senate. 

JUDGE WILLIAM D. MARTIN. 

William D. Martin, of the Martins of Martintown, was born 
at Martintown, in Edgefield County, on the 2nd of October, 
1789. He received a good academical education and read law 



176 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

at Edgefield wit'i Mr. Edmund Bacon, by whose assistance he 
was enabled to attend a course o( Law Lectures at Litchfield, 
Connecticut. He married at Edgefield Court House on the 
28th day of May, 181 1, Miss Henrietta Williamson, the 
daughter of Dr. Peter Williamson, a distinguished physician, 
and who had been a Revolutionary soldier. He was admitted 
to the Bar the 27th of November following, and became the 
partner of Mr. Edmund Bacon, and the principal management 
of a large and lucrative practice fell into his hands. In a few 
years he removed to Coosawhatchie, and was elected a member 
of the House of Representatives from St. Luke's Parish, in 
1816. After the death of Benjamin C. Yancey, Chairman of 
the Judiciary Committee of the House, Mr. Martin, in 1818, 
was elected Chairman by the committee. He was elected 
Clerk of the Senate November 23rd, 18 18, which office he 
filled until 1826 — eight years — when he was sent as a Repre- 
sentative to Congress. His wife died July 13th, 1824, leaving 
four children. After her death he removed to Barnwell. 
After he was sent to Congress he married the second time, 
choosing for his companion Miss Dorsey, daughter of Judge 
Dorsey, of the Supreme Bench of Maryland. In December, 
1830, he was elected one of the Circuit Court Law Judges, 
when he removed to Columbia, in which city he made his 
home until his death, which occurred on the i6th of Novem- 
ber, 1833. On his way home from court at Harry Fall, term 
of 1833, he retired to rest at Jones' Hotel, in Charleston, and 
the next morning he was found dead. 

He was a good judge of law, and his decisions, many of 
which were reviewed by the Court of Appeals, generally 
received the approbation of that court. A larger account of the 
Martin family will be given before we close. 

JUDGE EPHRAIM RAMSAY. 

Mr. Ramsay was an eloquent and distinguished lawyer 
residing at Ninety-Six, when on the 19th of December, 1799, 
he was elected Judge. He served as Judge something less 
than tv^'o years, dying in 1801. He died at Silver Blufi", in 
Beech Island, a place afterwards owned by Governor James H. 
Hammond. This place he had bought in company with his 
brother-in-law. Major Charles Goodwyn. Mr. Goodwyn and 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 77 

himself married sisters, the daughters of General Andrew 
Williamson, of Ninety-Six. 

They bought Silver BlufE from Thomas Galphin, son of the 
celebrated Indian trader, George Galphin, who was so success- 
ful in outdreaming an Indian Chief, with whom he had many 
dealings. Silver Bluff was his great trading station, at which 
he lived and died. He built there the first brick house ever 
built in the back country. It was used as a fort during the 
Revolutionary War, and was sometimes in the hands of one 
party and sometimes in the hands of the other. Its gables 
showed for nearly a hundred years, and perhaps show yet, the 
holes of a cannon ball shot clear through. In this house Judge 
Ramsay died, but no stone marks his resting plaGe,'and the 
identical spot where he lies cannot be pointed out, though the 
graveyard itself is still known-. 

It was at this place that George Galphin, the -great Indian 
trader, was visited by one of the principal Indian Chiefs from 
beyond the Savannah, when that dreaming match took place, 
in which the Chief was so badly beaten. Next morning after 
the Chief's arrival on a friendly visit, as he and Mr. Galphin 
were walking around and looking at the buildings, improve- 
ments, and the landscape generally, the Chief suddenly stood 
still, and looking at Mr. Galphin, said: "Mr. Galphin, me 
dream last night." "And what did my red brother dream?" 
"Me dream you give me a fine rifle." "If you dream it, you 
must have it," and the rifle was handed over at once. Next 
morning, as they were walking around again, Mr. Galphin 
suddenly said to the Chief: "I dreamed last night." "What 
you dream?" "I dreamed you gave me your fine Chickasaw 
stallion." "If you dream um, you must have um;" and the 
horse was given to Mr. Galphin. The next morning it was 
the Chief's turn, and he said: "I dream last night." "And 
what did my red brother dream last night?" "I dream you 
gave me the red coat you wear and much calico." "If you 
dream it, you must have it;" and the coat and calico were 
handed over to the Chief. Next morning it was Mr. Galphin's 
turn: "I dreamed last night," he said to the Indian, "a very 
beautiful and wonderful and most delightful dream; O, it 
was so happy." "What my white brother dream now?" said 
the somewhat astonished Chief. "I dreamed you gave me 



178 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

ten miles around the Ogeechee Old Town." "Wugh!" said 
the Chief, w'lo by this time was becoming very much disgus- 
ted with the game of dreaming, as he was decidedly getting 
the worst of it. "Wugh! if you dream um, you must have 
um, but I dream with you no more." Poor fellows! they have 
dreamed all their lands away, and the happy hunting grounds 
of the West, of which they also once so fondly dreamed, have 
vanished with their homes in the East. 

JAMES J. CALDWELL. 

This very able and excellent man made his home at Edge- 
field during the year 1819, as teacher and principal of the 
Edgefield Academy. He was a native of Newberry, and was 
prepared for the South Carolina College at the celebrated 
Mount Bethel Academy, then under the care of Mr. Elisha 
Hammond, father of Governor James H. Hammond. He 
entered the Junior Class of South Carolina College in Decem- 
ber, 1 81 5, and graduated in 18 17. After teaching one year at 
Edgefield he returned to Newberry and read law with Judge 
O'Neall, who was then in practice at that place. He was 
admitted to the bar in 182 1; in 1830 he was sent to the Legis- 
lature; in 1835 he was elected Solicitor, the duties of which 
office he discharged until 1846, when he was elected Chancellor 
in place of Chancellor Johnson, who was elected Governor. 
Some years before he was elected Chancellor he had removed 
to Columbia, in which city he died in the early part of March, 
1850, in the fifty-second year of his age. 

This writer never knew Chancellor Caldwell, but he was 
very highly esteemed by his father, who was a school-mate of 
his for a time at Mount Bethel; and he, too, completed his 
academical course of study and also his school life at that 
academy, in May, 18:5. The present writer has now in his 
possession, in the handwrite of Mr. Elisha Hammond, the 
certificate, dated May 6th, 1815, of the proficiency of John 
Chapman in surveying, which branch of mathematics he had 
made a special study, in order to prepare himself for the duties 
of a surveyor. 

I never saw Chancellor Caldwell, but I knew his son, 
Howard H. Caldwell, who died too soon; and I have long 
known another son, J. F. J. Caldwell, whom I am glad to have 



HISTORY OF EDGEFTEIX). 1 79 

on my list of friends. His contribution to the history of the 
late war I consider very valuable. 

JOHN S. JETER, SOLICITOR. 

Mr. Jeter was born about seven miles south of Edgefield' 
Court House, on the 20th of June, 1779. Edgefield was then 
part of the District of Ninety-Six. He was educated at Dr. 
Waddell's School at Willington, in Abbeville County. He read' 
law with Abram J. Dozier, at Cambridge, and was admitted to 
practice in Columbia in 181 1. He practiced at Edgefield with 
good success. In 1814 he was married to Miss Sabra Simkins, 
daughter of John Simkins, Esq. In December, 1824, he was 
elected Solicitor of the Southern Circuit, and in 1820 he was 
re-elected. In December, 1828, the State was divided into 
five instead of six circuits, and Edgefield and Newberry, 
which were part of the Southern Circuit, were thrown into the 
Western, of which Mr. Ear le was Solicitor, and Mr. Jeter's 
solid torship ceased. 

He was a good Solicitor, making no fuss nor parade, but 
working faithfully for the dispatch of business. He served as 
a member of the House of Representatives, and was elected 
Senator in 1838, and again in 184 1. At the next election, in 
1846, he was not a candidate, and Nathan L,. Grifiin was 
elected to succeed him. 

He died April 14th, 1847. Two daughters survived, one 
Sarah, wife of Mr. Harris, who removed to Columbia; and 
Caroline, the wife of Rev. Mr. Walker, a minister in the 
Episcopal Church. 

EDMUND BACON. 

Edmund Bacon, one of the most brilliant members of the 
Bar Edgefield ever had. was a native of Georgia, born at 
Augusta on the 17th of April, 1776. His father was a Vir- 
ginian, but he had removed to Georgia sometime before the 
great struggle between the colonies and the mother country 
began. He was left an orphan at an early age bj^ the death of 
his father; but his guardian, General Glascock, who was also 
his brother-in-law, did not neglect his duty, but placed him at 
one of the best schools in the State, and afterwards at the first 
academy in Augusta. His taste led him to the study of the 
ancient classics, to letters and to polite learning, with a de- 



l80 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

cided repugnance" to the i^tudy 'of a profession. In this he was 
encouraged, perhaps unwisely, by his guardian, as his fortune 
was not very large. But a circumstance, altogether unlocked 
for and unexpected, caused him to choose the profession of the 
law as his calling for life. Early in the year 1791 General 
Washington took his Southern tour, and in May paid a visit 
to Augusta. All the beauty and chivalry of the city was 
collected to receive and honor the hero. Mr. Bacon, young as 
he was, only about fifteen, was chosen by the academy of 
which he was a member, to give the address of welcome on 
the occasion. This delicate and honorable task was so well 
performed that it attracted the special notice and attention of 
the great man, and induced him to give the youthful orator a 
handsome present of several law books. This decided his 
future calling, and with the consent of his guardian he entered 
the then celebrated Law School of Litchfield, Connecticut, 
where he industriously applied himself and graduated with 
honor. 

After graduation he settled at Savannah, in which city he 
was very successful. He was here induced to undertake the 
management and settlement of the estate of General Greene. 
This labor he did well; but his health, which had begun to 
fail before, had by this time failed so much that he thought it 
prudent to retire, at least for a time, from his profession. To 
this end he purchased a plantation on Beech Island, on the 
Savannah river, in which pleasant spot he hoped to regain his 
liealth and pass his time in those literary pursuits, which were 
most congenial to his tastes. This dream was rudely broken 
and dispelled. His house was destroyed by fire; his farming in- 
terests were neglected b}' his overseer, who was the only gainer 
by his farming investment. He was compelled to resume the 
practice of the law. This he did at Edgefield Court House. 
He here built him a handsome dwelling house, into which he 
moved, but which he did not occupy a great while before it 
too was consumed by fire. In this fire he lost his whole 
library, including the books which had been presente'd to him 
by Washington. It was also with great difficulty that his 
infant child was saved from the conflagration. He rebuilt 
near the same place, resumed the practice of his profession and 
soon became eminent at the bar. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIEJ.D. l8l 

He was married to Eliza Fox at Augusta, Ga., January 29, 
1797. He left at his death four children, John, Edmund, 
Sarah, and Thomas. Thomas, who was so long Clerk of the 
Court at Edgefield, is the only one this writer ever knew. 

Dr. Eaborde once a Professor in the South Carolina College 
thus writes of Mr. Bacon: "Between the years 1822 and 1825 
I was a law student in the office of Messrs Simkins and 
McDuffie; and Mr. Bacon being there in the practice of his 
profession, it was my fortune to witnes^s the happiest eflforts 
which he made during this period at the Bar of Edgefield. * '■'^ 
His natural endowments were extraordinary. His person was 
commanding, his face and head uncommonly fine, his voice 
chorded musical, and of wonderful power. His style of 
speaking was highly finished, and I think I am justified in. 
saying, that, as a model of graceful and eloquent elocution,, 
the Edgefield Bar cannot present another entitled to equal 
praise. Eet it not be supposed, however, that his merit was- 
that of a mere rhetorician. When the occasion demanded it,. 
no one exhibited a livelier sensibilit}^ or a deeper feeling; or 
was more apt to awaken a sympathetic emotion in the bosoms 
of others. 

"I remember when quite a boy that I was much moved by a 
speech from him in behalf of a man who was on trial for his 
life. His whole soul seemed melted by compassion — the 
tears were flowing freely down his face, and he urged the 
acquital of the unfortunate man, w^th a natural earnestness 
and eloquence which touched every heart. His appeals to 
the sympathies of the jury were those of a man who was 
pleading for his own life; and when, after sketching most 
touchingly, the picture of human passion and infirmity, the 
sad heritage of the man — he called upon every member of the 
jury to adopt for himself the sentiment of the Universal 
Praj-er. 

'Teach me to feel another's woe. 

To hide the fault I see, 
That mercy I to others show, 

That mercy show to me.' 

' 'The effect was electric, and all could see that the prisoner 
was soon to be restored to his family and friends." 



l82 HISTORY OF EDGEFIBLD. 

JOHN DUNLAP. 

He was admitted to the Bar in Charleston, January 26th, 
1795. His home was at Ninety-Six, but he practiced at 
Edgefield and in all the adjoining counties. His reputation as 
an advocate was very fine, but his life was short. He married 
Miss Anne Gedder of Charleston. He died and left no children. 

His brother, Major William Dunlap, of Laurens, was one of 
Colonel Hays' party who were captured by Major William 
Cunningham in his celebrated bloody raid in October, 1781, 
when Hays and the most of his party were put to death. 
William Dunlap was spared, and when discharged by Cun- 
ningham the next morning at Odell's Mills on Beaver Dam 
Creek, he was covered with the blood and brains of his slain 
companions. 

ABRAHAM GILES DOZIER 

Was another of those old-time lawyers whose home was at 
Ninety-Six, but who practiced at Edgefield and in the ad- 
joining districts. He was admitted to the Bar in 1798. He 
had a large practice at Edgefield, and was very successful. He 
died at his home at Ninety-Six of the great epidemic in 18 16, 
which killed so many, at least one-tenth of the whole popula- 
tion of Edgefield, Abbeville, Newberry, and Eaurens. Ninety- 
Six, as the most of my readers well know, was a place of great 
importance in the early days of the settlement of the middle 
and upper country, and was the capital and county seat of a 
large territory of country previous to the Revolution and down 
to t'je 5^ear 1785, when the district was divided. It was the 
centre of rich farming lands, and men most eminent for intel- 
ligence and learning in the upper country, naturally made 
Ninety-Six a social centre. Hence we find it for a good many 
years after the Revolution the home of some of the leading 
men of the State. 

CHARLES GOODWYN 

Was another lawyer of the early times who made his home 
at Ninety-Six. He was an Englishman, and was admitted to 
the bar in Charleston, May 28th, 1784. He practiced much 
in the county courts and was very successful. He married 
one of the daughters of General Andrew Williamson. Judge 



HISTORY OF BDGEFIELD. 183 

Epbraim Ramsay, of Ninety-Six, married General William- 
son's other daughter, and he and Mr. Goodwyn together 
bought Silver Bluff, on Beech Island, an unfortunate specula- 
tion, as the debt they made in buying it was too heavy for 
them to carry. Mr. Goodwyn left descendants in Edgefield, 
and some are still living in the town and county. 
JOHN S. GLASCOCK 

Was bom near Augusta, Ga. , April i8th, 1788, of Virginia 
extraction — read law at Edgefield under Edmund Bacon, and 
was admitted to practice in 1 8 r i . Previous to his admission 
to practice law he married in 18 10 Miss Eliza Simkins, 
daughter of John Simkins, Esq. He was a member of the 
House of Representatives — elected first in 1820 and again in 
18.22. At the time of his death in 1822, he was State Senator 
and Major General of the First Division of South Carolina 
Militia. He was very successful as a lawyer, and was a very 
genial and popular man. His death was caused by a wound 
through the hand from the accidental discharge of a gun while 
hunting game. This produced lockjaw, which resulted in 
death. He was an ardent lover of field sports and of the fox 
chase. Dr. Laborde says of him that "he rode the noblest 
horse in the upper country, and his large pack of fox dogs 
would excite the envy of an English nobleman." Dr. Laborde 
says he saw him die — "he was dying of lockjaw and his lovely 
wife was near by in the last stage of consumption. Their 
weeping little ones were around them, and it was apparent 
that in a few short days of fleeting hours both parents were to 
be committed to the tomb and their happy home made desolate. 
And so it was. They died within the same week, and their 
bodies were buried in the Baptist Church yard of the village. 
The house passed into the hands of strangers, the children 
were distributed among their relations, and he who but a short 
time before, filled so large a space in the community of that 
intelligent district, like the whole family of the dead, (with 
fewest exceptions) soon ceased to be remembered. ' ' 

NATHAN LIPSCOMB GRIFFIN. 

Though not a native of Edgefield, yet Mr. Griffin lived at 
the Court House all his active business life, and was identified 
with the growth and prosperity of the town and county. He 



184 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

was born in Abbeville County, nesir White Hall, February 
9th, 1803. He began the reading of law in the office of Judge 
Whitner at Ninety-Six, but in 1823 he removed to Edgefield 
and completed his studies with A. P. Butler. He was admit- 
ted to practice in the fall of 1824, and immediately opened an 
office at Edgefield. In May, 1S25, he was married to Miss 
Anna Butler, daughter of Stanmore Butler, Esq. In 1826 he 
became a partner of A. P. Butler, and continued with him 
until Mr. Butler was elected one of the L,aw Judges of the 
State. He soon afterwards formed a partnership with Mr. 
Armisted Burt, which partnership was discontinued by 
Mr. Burt's election to the Congress of the United States. 
This was the last of his partnerships. Ever afterwards he 
practiced alone, and became an eminently successful lawyer. 
Never remarkable for eloquence or brilliance of elocution, he 
was a hardworking, studious, and industrious lawyer. In 1838 
he was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1846 he 
was elected Senator, and in 1850 he was re-elected. He united 
with the Baptist Church in 1831; and was an earnest Christian 
and ardent teetotaller for man}' years. He was a man of 
whom it may be truthfully said that he faithfully discharged 
every duty of life in every sphere to which he was called. 

He died on i6th February, 1853, having just passed by one 
week into his fifty -fiirst year. He left a widow and eight 
children. 

GEORGE McDUFFIE. 

This great man was a native of Georgia. His father was 
John McDuffie, a poor, hard working man, and a blacksmith 
by trade and occupation. The date of Mr. McDuffie's birth I 
am not able to give, but it was about or sometime during the 
•year 1788. He first started in life as a clerk in the store of 
Mr. James Calhoun, in Augusta, Ga. This gentleman soon 
noticed that he was a lad of remarkable ability, and he men- 
tioned the fact to his brother, William Calhoun, of Abbeville. 
Mr. William Calhoun soon afterwards proposed to board and 
educate him at the then celebrated school at Willington, kept 
by Dr. Waddell. He accordingly took him into his own 
family and sent him to the school, in the near neighborhood of 
which he lived. At this school McDuffie soon went ahead of 



■ HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 85 

all competition, and was quickly prepared for college. He 
entered the Junior Class of the South Carolina College in 
December, 18 11, and was very soon recognized as the first man 
in it. 

After his graduation he read law from December, 18 13, to 
May, 18 14, when he was admitted to practice in both law and 
equity. A very short course of reading truly; and there is little 
wonder that he did nothing at Pendleton, at which place he 
first settled. In December, 18 14, he was a candidate for 
Solicitor of the Western Circuit, but he was not elected. Soon 
after this he became a partner of Eldred Simkins, Esq. , at 
Edgefield Court House. Mr. Simkins had a large practice 
and a good library. By this fortunate connection, McDufiie's 
rise was rapid, so rapid as to be without parallel. By Mr. 
Simkins he was introduced into the best society. In a cele- 
brated case at Abbeville, called the James Eand case, he- was 
successful, and in the Court of Appeals he showed that he, was 
able to grasp and understand the most involved intricacies of 
law. The people of Edgefield elected him to the Legislature 
in October, 18 18, and in that sphere of action he showed his 
'great abilities, both as an orator and as a man of business. 
The same j-ear he was elected one of the trustees of the South 
Carolina College. In October, 1820, the people of Edgefield 
and Abbeville elected him as their Represeiitative in Congress. 
Here he showed his great abilities as an orator and debater. 
During nearly the whole time of his service as a member of 
Congress the protective tariff was the great subject of debate, 
and convulsed not only the halls of Congress, but the whole 
country from end to end, Mr. McDufiie was an ardent nulli- 
fier, and threw himself into the thick of the fight with his 
whole soul. He favored the Ordinance of Nullification as 
passed b}' the Convention of South- Carolina. The storm was 
lulled after awhile by the introduction of Mr. Clay's compro- 
mise measures, to which McDuffie gave a reluctant assent. 

In December, 1834, he was elected Governor of the State, 
and while Governor, as President of the Board of Trustees of 
the South Carolina College, he did much to raise that institu- 
tion from a languishing to a prosperous condition. At the 
expiration of his term as Governar he retired to private life, 
which retirement he was permitted to enjoy for about six 



I..86 HISTORY OF ^DGEFIEU). 

years. He was then, in 1842, elected to the Senate of 
the United States. At this time his health was very 
feeble, but he was still able to do good service as Senator, 
especially in the advocacy of the annexation of Texas. At the 
close of the session of 1846 he resigned his seat, feeling that 
his health was too bad for him to try to serve any longer. He 
lingered a few years, until the spring of 1851, when he passed 
away. 

Mr. McDuffie married, in 1829, Miss Singleton, who left 
him a widower with one child, a daughter, in 1830. This 
daughter afterwards became the wife of Wade Hampton. 

About. the year 1820, Mr. McDuffie unfortunately became 
involved in a duel with Colonel Gumming, in which he was 
wounded, and from which wound he never entirely recovered, 
though he lived for thirty years after it was received. 

The protective tariff, for the suppression of which he fought so 
long and well, still rules the country, in spite of its unconstitu- 
tionality; in spite of the fact that it is a great wrong to the 
cultivators of the soil; and in spite of the fact that it is robbery 
to tax one industry and make it pay for the support of another. 
The great American system is one of the strongest evidences 
possible to be produced of the corrupting and debasing influ- 
ence of money. The love of money is the root of all evil. 



HISTORY OP KDGEFIBtD. I87 

XX. 

THOMAS H. POPE. 

Mr. Pope was born in Edgefield, but passed the latter part 
of his life and the most active business part in the County of 
Newberry, though he never entirely deserted Edgefield. He 
was the eldest son of Sampson Pope and his wife, Sarah 
Strother, Virginians by family descent, and was born Novem- 
ber i2th, 1803. He was educated mainly in his native county, 
but, for a short time, was in Yale Collev^'^e. He read law with 
Judge O'Neall; was admitted to practice in 1825, and first 
settled at' Edgefield Court House. In January, 1830, he was 
married to Miss Harrington, the second daughter of Young 
John Harrington, of Newberry, and in 1832 he moved to that 
place. 

He was very successful as a lawyer and had a large and lucra- 
tive practice. He never neglected the business interests of a 
client, but made a client's business his own. 

He was elected Commissioner in Equity in 1836. He served 
until 1840, when he resigned. In 1840 he was elected to the 
Legislature as Representative — served two years. He was 
opposed to the Bank of the State; was a warm and earnest 
friend of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad, the charter of 
which he did much to secure. His life was very busy, active, 
and useful. He died of typhoid pneumonia on February»4th, 
1 85 1, in his 48th year. He left surviving him several sons 
and one daughter. Of his sons three are now living — Young 
John',\an eminent lawyer and Attorney General of the State — 
Associate Justice, has.been State^ Senator; Sampson,, practicing 
physician at Newberry and Clerk of the Senate; David 
Strother, physician at the Penitentiary. The daughter is 
still living (1891). 

It would make this work too large, were I to say all that 
might be said, and all that I would be glad to say of the many 
worthy men and women that must be mentioned. Sometimes 
it is very difficult to condense, and to give at the same time, a 
vivid and life-like picture of persons, places, and events. Let 
the reader, then, accept this apology once for all, for any 



1 88 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

meagerness he may find in any sketches in this book. Many 
persons of whom I write and shall write are friends, relatives, 
and connections. Many, in both Edgefield and Newberry, are 
relations and connections, and all are friends, I hope. 

ELDRED SIMKINS. 

There are few names that shine with a purer and better 
lustre; and few more deserving of honor by the people of 
Edgefield and of the State than that of Simkins. 

Arthur Simkins, the father of Eldred, was one of the earliest 
settlers in Edgefield District. He came from the Eastern 
Shore of Virginia and first went to the region of the Santee, 
but becoming dissatisfied in a short time with that region, he 
went on to the less frequented forest of the Savannah side of 
the State. After' several years of observation he settled on 
Eog Creek. The place he settled was known for a long time, 
and may be still remembered by some older person as the 
"Cedar Fields." The writer of this has a feeling that many 
years ago he heard the place spoken of by that name. It was 
at the Cedar Fields that Arthur Simkins lived and died. He 
was County Judge under the old system and was regarded by 
all who knew him as a man of sterling worth, and as a model 
of honesty and uprightness. 

When the Revolution broke out and the war for Independ- 
ence began he took the side of Independence, and at an early 
period of the war the Tories burned his dwelling house, then 
one of the few large houses in the up-country, besides harrow- 
ing and harrassing him in every other way incident to a state 
of civil war. 

After the war he was a member of the General Assembly 
and of the Convention which had been called to consider the 
adoption of the Constitution of the United States. He voted 
against the adoption, as did nearly all the delegates from 
Ninety-Six District. The Act passed by the Legislature for 
calling the Convention to consider the adoption of the Consti- 
tution of the United States was very nearly defeated. General 
Sumter and General Pickens were both opposed to the Consti- 
tution on the ground that it took too much power from the 
State and made the General Government too consolidated. 
Arthur Simkins agreed with them. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 89 

Mr. Simkius remained a member of the General Assembly 
for many years. He died in 1826, wealthy, honored, and 
respected, having done his duty as a man and citizen. 

Eldred Simkins was the youngest son of Arthur, and was 
born during the Rev^olutionary war, August 29th, 1779. It 
is said that he was sent at an early age to the famous Academy 
of Dr. Moses Waddell, at Willington in the County or District 
of Abbeville, where he was thoroughly taught in all the fun- 
damental branches of education and became a proficient in 
studies of a higher grade, especially Latin; that then he was 
sent to the Law School at Litchfield, Connecticut, where he 
remained more than three years; afterwards read law under 
Chancellor DeSaussure in Charleston, and was admitted to 
practice law in Charleston, May 7th, 1805. There is surely 
an error, or errors, in these statements somewhere. The school 
at Willington was not established until the year 1804. Dr. 
Waddell had been a teacher for some years, and had acquired 
a great reputation as a teacher at Appling, in the State of 
Georgia, and also at Vienna in Abbeville County, before the 
establishment of the school at Willington, and it must have 
been at one of these places that Mr. Simkins was his pupil, for 
that he was the pupil of Dr. Waddell is, I suppose, a well 
established fact. 

Soon after his admission to the Bar he began his professional 
life at Edgefield. His practice soon became large and valuable, 
as he prepared his cases with great care and was a thorough 
practical business man. 

In April, 1807, he married Eliza Hannah Smith, daughter 
of Benijah Smith, and grand-daughter of Elijah Clarke, so 
celebrated during the Revolutionary war. Colonel Pickens 
describes her as a "beautiful woman, the sweetest and most 
intertaining lady I ever saw in any societ3^" Eldred Simkins 
was more than once sent to the Legislature from Edgefield. 

In 18 1 6, when Mr. Calhoun became a member of President 
Monroe's Cabinet, Mr. Simkins was elected to Congress. Mr. 
Edmund Bacon and General William Butler were also candi- 
dates for Congress at the same election. Mr. Simkins was in 
Congress four years; was an active and useful member, and, 
especially distinguished himself in a speech he made on the 
Missouri Compromise bill. At the end of four years' service he 



I90 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

declined a re-election in favor of his friend and law partner, 
George McDuffie. After the election of Mr. McDulE&e to 
Congress Mr. Simkins took as his law partner Mr. Ford, who, 
after a while, abandoned the law, became an Episcopal minis- 
ter and pastor of a church in Augusta, Ga. In 1830 Mr. Sim- 
kins formed a partnership with Colonel F. W. Pickens, from 
which time he no longer attended closely to the business of 
his profession. He died in 1832. In 1859 his daughters were 
all dead, none leaving children except Mrs. Pickens. Three 
sons were then living, but they, too, have long since passed 
away. Arthur was for many years the genial and popular 
editor of the Edgefield Advertiser. Clarke this writer knew for 
a little while at Mount Enou Academy, as far,back as the 5'ear 
1835, with many other Edgefield youths. John, Lieutenant 
Colonel of his Regiment, died a heroic death at Battery Wag- 
ner, on Morris Island, on the night of July i8th, 1863. At 
about 9 o'clock he fell, pierced by a minnie ball through the 
right lung. His name with a brief sketch appears in the 
Annals of Newberry. 

I transcribe it here, for John C. Simkins belonged to both 
Edgefield and Newberry. 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN C. SIMKINS, 

Whose name appears upon the Monument at Newberry, as 
one of the fallen soldiers of that county, was a son of Honorable 
Eldred Simkins, and was born at Edgefield Court House on 
the nth day of March, 1827. He attended school at Edgefield 
and at Greenwood, S. C. He was not a graduate of any col- 
lege or university; but, instead of continuing his studies at 
school, though only about eighteen years of age at the com- 
mencement of the Mexican War, he volunteered as a private 
in Captain Brooks' Company "D," of the Palmetto Regiment. 
During the campaign he was transferred to the Twelfth United 
States Regular Infantry, and, as -captain in that regiment, 
distinguished himself at the battle of Churubusco, where he 
received two wounds. He was recommended to the govern- 
ment for a brevet "for gallant and meritorious conduct." At 
the close of the Mexican War he returned to civil life, that of 
a planter. In 1850 he married Rosalie, daughter of Judge 
Wardlaw, of Abbeville, and continued to live in Edgefield 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIEIX). IQI 

District until about a year before the war between the States, 
when he bought from the Chappells a plantation in Newberry 
District on the Saluda River, about a mile above Chappells 
Depot. This plantation is part of what is known as Maxwell's 
Neck. 

As soon as the State seceded and it was known that war was 
inevitable, he was amongst the first to oflfer his services to 
Governor Pickens. He was immediately appointed Captain in 
the First South Carolina Regular Infantry. His regiment was 
employed largely as artillery. As commander of Battery Bee, 
on Sullivan's Island, he did good service in the repulse of the 
iron-clads in the naval attack on Charleston, April 7th, 1863, 
when the Keokuk was sunk. 

By successive promotions, he became I^ieutenant Colonel of 
his regiment. On the i6th of July, 1863, he, with three com- 
panies of the regiment. Captains Haskell, Adams, and Tatum, 
was ordered to Battery Wagner, our advance post on Morris 
Island. Here he acted as Chief of Artillery, and he and his 
devoted little band, without rest or sle'Sp, stood under a terrific 
bombardment until the night of July i8th, 1863, when the 
enemy, in overwhelming numbers, landed and assaulted the 
works. They were repulsed with heavy loss. In that night 
assault, at about 9 o'clock, Colonel Simkins fell pierced through 
the right lung by a minnie ball. Captains Haskell and Tatum 
were also killed during that engagement, and Captain Adams 
was severely wounded. Colonel Simkins was 36 years old at 
the time of his death, and left a widow, four sons, and a daugh- 
ter surviving. His widow died in 1891. 

In his official relation, Colonel Simkins was strict, but just. 
A born soldier, he was devoted to his profession. Although a 
good disciplinarian, he was respected and beloved by his com- 
rades. He was very modest and retiring, but warm-hearted, 
frank, and true. His purity of heart was shown in his exceed- 
ing fondness for children, whose company he would seek. 

CHARLES MARTIN GRAY. 

The following instructive biography has been placed in my 
hands as good material for the history of Edgefield. I do not 
think any reader will be sorry to find it here. I have been 
informed that it was written by Joseph Abney, Esq. : 



192 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Charles Martin Gray was born at Edgefield Court House, 
South Carolina, on the 3rd of December, A. D. 1800, and was 
named after Charles Martin, a chivalrous and distinguished 
lawyer of his day.. He was. the son of John Gray, Jr., for 
many years a merchant at that place, and of Ridley M. Mims, 
daughter of Drury Mims, who was supposed to be well tinc- 
tured with native American blood, his father having been 
descended from that stock, and his mother from the English. 
Drury Mims, during the War of the Revolution, was an 
ardent Whig and a daring soldier. John Gray, Jr., the father 
of Charles M. Gray, was a Scotchman of full blood, born in 
Edinburg, but immigrated to this country with his father, 
John Gray, Sr. , when a small boy. He had a large family by 
his marriage with Ridley M. Mims, no less than eleven in 
number, and of those who lived to the years of maturity, only 
three were boys. All of his daughters had the happiness to con- 
tract marriage with industrious, honorable, and thrifty men — 
one of them, Elizabeth, marrying Dr. Chamberlain H. Good- 
win, the son of Charles Goodwin, a lawyer of eminence at Old 
Cambridge, and the grandson, on the mother's side, of General 
Williamson, of Revolutionary fame. 

Charles M. Gray was bound out at the age of thirteen years 
to one Mr. Pugh, of Augusta, Georgia, for seven years, as an 
apprentice at the trade of Fancy and Windsor Chair- making. 
But the war having broken out between Great Britain and 
America about this time, and the young apprentice having the 
keenest military propensities, and the most ardent thirst for dis- 
tinction as a soldier, as well as a natural love for the exciting ad- 
ventures of a soldier's life, while one Captain Musgrove was rais- 
ing a volunteer company in the city of Augusta to march to the 
defence of Savannah, bade adieu as he supposed forever to fancy 
chair-making, attached himself to the command of the gallant 
captain, and hastened off to rekindle his military zeal and his 
love for glory, at the grave of Greene, and at the Monument 
of Pulaski. But avarice in some is stronger than the love of 
renovv-n, or even the love of country. Mr. Pugh went in pur- 
suit of this strippling warrior, and overtaking him at the Ogle- 
thorpe Barracks, reclaimed him as his property, and carried 
him back dejected and crest-fallen to Augusta, where he re- 
mained busily plying his trade, until his master, about a year 



HI-TORY or EDGEFIELD. I93 

afterwards, having failed in business, he was set at large, and 
permitted to control his own actions. In obedience to his 
natural proclivities, he again enlisted in the army, but this 
time in the regular army, under Major James E. Dinkins. 
His father hearing of it, hastened to the city, and, by virtue of 
his parental authority, recognized b}^ the United States, sued 
out a writ of habeas corpus against Dinkins, and having re- 
turned his enlistment bounty, demanded and obtained his 
truant son, on the ground that he was a minor and under the 
proper military age. His father then took him home and 
entered him at school to Mr. Armstrong, famous in his day as 
a teacher, and then employed as Principal of the Edgefield 
Male Academy. But all the aspirations of our hero were for 
the army, and the din of musketry was more pleasing to his 
imagination than the noise and clatter of the school room. 
His father having become perfectly aware of the bent of his 
son's mind, on the 24th day of April, A. D. 18 19, suffered 
him to re-enlist under Brevet Major David E. Twiggs, who 
was then in Augusta on recruiting service. He was assigned 
to Company A, Seventh Regiment, United States Army, and 
continued a member, first and last, ten years. The term of 
second enlistment of five years having expired, he was honor- 
ably discharged, and made his way home on foot, which he 
reached after traveling alone, camping out at night and cook- 
ing his own meals, for thirty-four days, in which time he 
walked a distance of nine hundred miles. 

Long A'ears of service in the army utterly unfitted him for 
the life of a civilian, and for many years he was too much ad- 
dicted to indulgence in artificial stimulants to be prosperous. 
This bad habit too freely indulged during his enlistment, most 
likely deprived him of all chance of promotion. Many amus- 
ing instances might be related in illustrating the ingenuity dis- 
played in procuring the desired stimulant, did space permit. 
But one or two, as related by the old soldier himself, will 
suffice: "On one occasion Major Twiggs commanded a party 
of twenty-four men, who were borne in the gallant vessel 
called the 'Support;' but it happened that myself constituted 
one of the number. Before starting out on my journey, I had 
been well schooled by my chum, George Riley, and among 
other commands was enjoined to procure for my mess a boun- 



194 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

tiful supply of good liquor from John Cosby, the famous sutler 
of Fort Gadsden. But 1 lacked that great desideratum, the 
money, which was the 'sine qua non' with a soldier of our 
command, who was to procure supplies and luxuries from the 
sutler of a different corps. Genius then must supply the place 
of gold and silver; and George Riley and m3'self, his hopeful 
pupil, had no lack of that. The latter was dressed in the 
ordinary uniform of a soldier, and had an overcoat supplied 
with several more than the usual number of pockets. In each 
of these was deposited a trusty 'big bellied bottle'. One of 
them was filled with water, and another of the exact form and 
dimensions was entirely empty. When the gallant vessel ar- 
rives at Fort Gadsden, I approached the sutler, handed him 
the empty bottle, and requested him to fill it, which was done 
in a trice. It is then carefully stowed away in my pocket; but 
poor soldier as I was, I had no mone}^ and beg for a little 
credit. The hard-hearted sutler, having had many such appli- 
cations made to him before, peremptorily refused to credit, and 
demanded the bottle of whiskey to be returned. Without a 
moment's hesitation, it is done to all appearances, and with an 
indignant imprecation; but, by an easy slight of hand, the 
vessel containing the water is handed to the incorrigible John 
C. , Esq. It is emptied into the cask and returned to me to 
my apparent disappointment and chagrin. But the trick was 
too good not to be improved, and the same good bottles were 
passed again and again to different members of the detail, who 
all rejoiced in their own success as often as they tried the expe- 
riment, until we had obtained excellent whiskey enough to 
sustain my mess and colleagues in a royal spree. 

"Major Twiggs, who was then opposed to drinking in his 
command, observing me on my return from the direction of 
the sutler's, called me to him and ordered me to display my 
bottle. With an air of innocence I handed him the empty bottle, 
when he immediately excused me, uttering at the same time 
the direst imprecations of what he had done, had it contained 
whiskey. 

"Not long after the return of this party from the bay to 
Fort Scott I approached my commanding officer. Major 
Twiggs, for permission to purchase of the sutler a bottle of 
whiskey, without stating the size. The application was 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 1 95 

granted, and the needful order countersigned. On the faith 
thereof I hastened to the sutler's with a bottle I had previously 
obtained from the Surgeon or Apothecary, which, having been 
used to hold acids and medicines in large quantities, was capa- 
ble of containing at least one or more gallons of liquor. It 
was, at an}^ rate, bottle-shaped, and I had so thoroughly 
studied my superior that I well knew no punishment would 
result from the kind of prank I was about to practice. When 
I had procured the liquor, therefore, I made no secret of it, 
but slinging the huge vessel on my shoulder, passed directly 
by th; quarters of Major Twiggs. When the latter beheld me 
as he walked to and fro along his little piazza he called me to 
him and demanded of me the authority I had for purchasing 
so much whiskey, and received the answer that it was derived 
directly from him, as could be attested bj' the written order 
itself. He then turned to L,ieutenant Pierce M. Butler, who 
was promenading with him and inquired if Edgefield was 
composed of such men as Charles Martin Gra}-. Receiving an 
affirmative reply, he good humoredly said that he knew the 
devil miist have his headquarters there, and beckoned me to 
go on." 

Charles M. Gray was happily married to Ann Green on the 
3rd of September, 1841. He had previously foresworn his 
favorite beverage and had become an industrious and temperate 
citizen. He had as much business as he could attend to as 
Deputy Sheriff and as constable for one or more Magistrates, 
and earned not only money enough to subsist his famil}-, but 
to pay all of his debts. He was elected door-keeper of the 
House of Representatives, and held the position until the 
inauguration of negro rule, a period of pbout twelve years. 

There was one incident in the married life of the old soldier, 
which we think proper to allow him to relate: "A great 
chicken fight was to take place in Augusta — the Edgefield 
boys were pitted against those of Augusta, and I had an in- 
vincible disposition to take part in the sport — it suited my 
mind and temper. I was fond of game chickens and my wife 
had assisted me in raising a beautiful flock. My better half 
disapproved of my designs, but seemed to have a promonition 
that I would not be a gainer. I determined, though, to carry 
out my own purposes. I had in my pocket one hundred and 



196 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

fifty dollars. I went to the cock fight and lost it all. Return- 
ing home late at night I found madam discontented indeed, 
and indisposed even to give me a word of welcome. The old 
soldier returned in me at once. I had reserved from the 
wreck three silver dollars. I therefore went to the sideboard 
^nd counted these three dollars over and over again, with my 
back to my spouse until they amounted to the sum of three 
hundred and fifty dollars. Madam hearing all this could not 
be insensible to the claims of one, who, in the conflicts with 
fortune, had been so happy as to secure so much for her com- 
fort. She then, for the first time, moved herself in the bed 
and called out to her dear husband that the old blue hen he 
liad left setting had hatched twelve of the prettiest chickens he 
ever beheld. Upon this she rose from her bed and by sunrise 
procured for me one of' the best breakfasts I had ever tasted 
before." 

Charles M. Gray, bj' his marriage with Ann Green, had 
four sons and three daughters. One of his sons entered the 
Confederate Army at the age of 14 years and died of a disease 
contracted in service. Two others received desperate wounds 
in sustaining the "Ivost Cause." Charles M. Gray, Jr., better 
known as Scout Gray, of Longstreet's Corps, was wounded 
seven times in battle, still lives at Edgefield Court House. He 
bears great resemblance to "Buffalo Bill." 

Before we conclude this memoirs it is proper to remark that 
Charles M. Gray enlisted in the 7th Regiment from South 
Carolina in the war between the States — was made colorbearer 
and bore the Southern Cross throughout the whole of those 
desperate, bloody, and glorious combats, beginning at Bull 
Run and culminating at Manassas. But age and imfirmities 
admo4iished him that he must quit the service forever and bid 
farewell to "the drum, the shrill-sounding fife, and all the 
pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious v/ar," and receiving 
accordingly an honorable discharge, he retired to the bosom 
of his family. 

A few years after the war he died at the age of three score 
and ten vears. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. igy 



XXI 

WAR OF 1812 -SEMINOLE. 

There are other Biographical sketches to be given, and 
which must be given to make the records complete, but Vv'e 
will desist for the present and resume the more direct historical 
narrative for a little while. History and Biography, however, 
are so interblended that they cannot be completely separated. 
The only difference is that in Biography the individual is made 
prominent and events become subordinate: while in histor^'the 
ca.ses are reversed. 

Perhaps enough has alread}^ been said, incidentally, of the 
war of 1812, in the Biographical sketches of prominent men. 
General William Butler, Samuel Mays, and Colonel George 
Butler were most prominent. Thornton Coleman, an elder 
brother of Rev. Jones W. Coleman, held a Captain's commis- 
sion in that war. The reader, however, understands that 
though troops were called out, that is the militia, and sta- 
tioned on the coast, yet they were never actuall}^ engaged in 
battle. John, Jo.seph, and Jesse Edwards were in that war, 
and John Bledsoe, Henrj' Trotter, William Riley, and Isaac 
Riley. 

Incidentally, too, enough has already been written of the 
.stormy period of nullification and of the prominent actors of 
that time. Edgefield was a nuUifier and was in heart}' sym- 
pathy with the Act of the Convention nullifying the unjust 
tariff laws of Congress. 

To the war against the Seminole Indians in Florida, three 
companies of infantrx' and one of cavalry' volunteered from 
Edgefield. I msLy be able to give in the conclusion of this 
work a li.st of all the volunteers to Florida, as well as of those 
who served in the war with Mexico, andaLsoin the late war of 
Secession, with the ca.sualties incident to each individual. At 
present I can recall the name of James Edwards, a member of 
the company commanded by Captain David Denny, which 
went from the Tenth South Carolina Militia. There was also 
William Abnej', who had vowed to whip, on sight, Charles K. 
Johnson, who, he supposed had wrongfully treated his .son. 



198 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Henderson, at Mount Enon School, when he was a pupil of 
Mr. Johnson. After the threshing Mr. Abney and Mr. 
Johnson had never met until the}' met in Florida as soldiers 
and comrades in the same army. So far from threshing Mr. 
Johnson, Abney, when he came to know him, fell in love with 
him and was ever afterwards one of his wa^-mest friends and 
admirers. 

The company from the Seventh Militia Regiment was com- 
manded by Captain James Jones, who was afterwards a Gen- 
eral in the Militia. Milledge Iv. Bonham was Orderly Sergeant 
in Jones' company. The company from the Ninth Regiment 
was commanded by Captain Jefferson Hibler. Captain Hibler 
was aftenvards Colonel in the Militia. Kibler Township, in 
the upper part of Edgefield, as I have been informed, was 
named in his honor. The company of cavalry was commanded 
by Captain Sibley, who, I think, was of Hamburg, as the 
members of the company were mostly from Hamburg and 
vicinity. 

The following episode of the Seminole war I condense from 
an article by Rev. Wni. M. Wood in the Southern Christian 
Advocate of November 20th, iSgo. 

Mr. Peurifoy's father was from North Carolina. He moved 
to Putnam County, Georgia, where Tilman Dixon Peurifoy 
was born, January 21 st, 1809. At nineteen years of age he 
was admitted to the Georgia Conference, having been con- 
verted at the age of fifteen. He was married when a young 
man to Miss Eouisa Ann Bird, daughter of Captain Daniel 
Bird, of Edgefield, S. C. After a few years he moved to 
Florida and settled in Jefferson County in 1833. The war with 
the Seniinoles was then going on, but from the place of his 
settlement the nearest Indians were a hundred miles distant, 
and no apprehensions of danger were felt by him or by any 
one in that section, Mr. Peurifoy was frequently absent for a 
long time attending to his preaching appointments. It was 
during one of these absences, and he was sixty miles distant 
attending Quartely Conference, when the attack, so disastrous 
and terrible, was made upon his home. It was on Sunday, 
April ist, 1836; Mrs. Peurifoy was lying quietly and happily 
upon her bed reading that comforting book, ' 'Heavenly Rec- 
ognition," when the door was suddenly opened almost without 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. I99 

noise, and a tall Indian, in feathers and war paint, quietly 
entered the room. The house, which was a double log cabin, 
with a wide passage between, had been surrounded quietly bj' 
a party of fifty or sixty Indians. A negro girl about twelve 
years of age, who was in the room with Mrs. Peurifoy, quickly 
understood the situation and tried to make her escape. She 
immediately darted out of the room between the Indian's legs 
as he stood for a moment in the door. She made her escape, 
but was fearfully wounded in the effort. She was still living 
near Augusta at the close of the year iSgo, and may be living 
even now, 189 1. 

Before Mrs. Peurifoy swooned away she remembered seeing 
the savage kill her daughter, Elisabeth. The fate of her little 
boy she did not know. When she revived and came to herself 
she found the room full of Indians, and they were hurriedly 
eating the ham and potatoes and what other food they were 
able to find. Hoping that she would not be observed she 
made a great effort to escape. She was able to get out of the 
house and had reached the ground when she was shot and the 
bullet pierced her shoulder blade. Almost at the same time 
another bullet struck her thigh and she fell forward on her 
face. The savages then surrounded her, stabbed her in the 
back and cut her person fearfully. They cut her throat, but 
a shawl or handkerchief about her neck and shoulders saved her 
from death. They then beat her over the head with a light- 
wood knot, but unconsciousl}^ she rai.sed her right arm to 
protect her head, and that was terribly bruised and broken. 
They did not scalp her. She became unconscious, and they 
left her for dead. When she came to herself again the savages 
were plundering the house and setting it on fire. She then 
crawled towards the kitchen, hoping that her cook, who had 
nursed her when she was a baby, might be able to help her. 
The cook herself was dying from wounds she had received, 
and could only spread her handkerchief on the ground for her 
mistress to lie on, when she quietly passed away. 

After this, suffering from intolerable thirst, Mrs. Peurifoy 
dragged herself to a swamp or pond three quarters of a mile 
distant, where she was able to get some water to assuage her 
thirst. Here she lay that night, and until sunset next day, 
when she was found by the searching parties. Her father, 



200 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

who lived only a few miles distant, was with the searchers; 
and he, it seems, had a presentiment that she was still living, 
and would be found alive. The charred remains of the two 
children, Elisabeth and Lovick Pierce, were found in the ruins 
of the building. Mr. Peurifoy, on his return from Conference, 
was within twenty miles of home before he received any in- 
timation of the terrible disaster. Upon sheets Mrs. Peurifoy 
was carried to her father's, near Monticello, Florida. For 
many weeks she breathed through several of her wounds, and 
for months she could only be moved and turned upon sheets. 
After these terrible events they removed to Georgia, and in 
1849, came to Edgefield County an.' settled near Butler 
Church, where Mr. Peurifoy died June 3rd, 1872, and Mrs. 
Peurifoy, July 5th, 1878. 

Three negroes, besides the cook alread}' mentioned were 
killed in a house which v/as used for a church. One woman, 
who fought them to the last, was killed by having her head 
beaten to pieces with a lightwood knot. Her baby was saved 
by the door being thrown down in the scuffle and falling over 
the cradle in which the baby lay. This child was alive in 
i8yo. 

Mr. and Mrs. Peurifoy left several children; Eliza, who 
married Mr. Yarbrough, and Hon. D. B. Peurifoy, named 
after his grandfather. Captain David Bird. D. B. Peurifoy, 
familiarly called "Dan," by his friends, has been a member of 
the Legislature, but declined to be a candidate in 1890. 

Thomas Bird, whom I knew at school, and who, I thought 
was a young man of very lovely character, was, if I mistake 
not, a son of Captain David Bird, and brother to Mrs. T. D. 
Peurifoy. 

In making the statement that Pierce M. Butler was a Briga- 
dier General during the Seminole war, I write from the recol- 
lection of my readings of history, without having books or 
any authorities to refer to just at this moment. But, whether 
he was Brigadier General or not at anj^ time while that war 
lasted, he was inaugurated Governor of South Carolina, No- 
vember, 1836, and was Governor two years; and a few years 
thereafter served with distinction in the war with Mexico, as 
Colonel of the Palmetto Regiment, and was killed at the battle 
of Churubusco. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 20I 

In that war with Mexico, which was brought about by the 
annexation of Texas to the United States, Mexico never having 
acknowledged the independence of that State, but instead, had 
always claimed it as an integral portion of the territory' of 
itself, the company from Edgefield, known as the Ninety-Six 
Boys, was commanded by Preston S. Brooks as Captain, 
having for Lieutenants W. C. Moragne and Joseph Abney; and 
was Joseph Culbreath also one, or was he First Sergeant? 
Milledge L. Bonham was a Colonel in this war, but in another 
regiment. Joseph Culbreath went as a private in Captain 
Williams' Company from Newberry — returned as Lieuten- 
ant. 

Giles Chapman, the elder brother of the writer, was living 
in Indiana when the war with Mexico came on, and in that 
State he volunteered and was a member of the Second Indiana 
Regiment, under General Zachary Taylor. He was killed in 
the battle of Buena Vista, where General Taylor gained his 
great victory which made him President of the United States. 
In some movements of tliat part of the army, the retreat of 
the Second Regiment from the field, a wounded comrade of my 
brother, unable to keep up with his company, had been left 
behind. The Mexican lancers were scouring the field, killing 
all the woinided and stragglers, though at the time they were 
at some distance from that part of the field. Giles and another 
soldier determined to return and bring off their wounded com- 
rade, if possible. They were warned against making the at- 
tempt, that it would be going to meet almo.st certain death with- 
out accomplishing their purpose. Their reply was that they 
would make the attempt even if they lost their own lives— that 
they could not .see a comrade butchered before their own eyes 
without, at lea.st, trying to .save him; and if they could not 
save him, they would die with him. They went; the)' tried to 
save their friend, but failed, and all three were killed. Giles 
Chapman was a native of Edgefield. His name does not 
appear on the roll of the Palmetto Regiment, nor has it ever 
appeared in the Records of Edgefield County. It appears in 
tlie History of the Mexican War as a member of a regiment of 
another State, but he was of Edgefield, S. C, and as brave 
and fearless on the field of battle, and everywhere else, as ever 
human nature grov.'s to be. 



202 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Before this book is closed and finally dismissed from the 
hands of the writer, it is his purpose to give a list of all the 
men engaged in these wars, with the ranks, casualties, &c. ; so 
we will proceed with the general narrative of events as fully as 
we can, without making the work too large, which I fear will 
be done. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 203 



XXII. 

THE TILLMAN FAMILY. 

We have seen that Captain James Ryan came from Virginia 
and was one of the'earHest settlers of Edgefield; and we might 
suppose from the name he bears that Benjamin Ryan Tillman, 
at this time Governor of South Carolina, was a relative or con- 
nection of the Ryan family. But such is not the case. The 
Tillmans came from Maryland or Delaware and settled on the 
southern side of Edgefield towards Hamburg. The father of 
the Governor once lived on the road leading from the Pin2 
House to Hamburg, nine miles from the latter place. Benja- 
min Ryan was born thirteen miles north of Augusta in Merri- 
wether Township. The name Benjamin Ryan was given to 
him through the great respect his father had to the Ryan 
family, and not from any blood relationship or connection with 
that family. 

When George D. Tillman first went to Edgefield Court 
House to live and to practice law, he made himself very un- 
popular in the town, whatever he may be now, and had many 
enemies. What he was, or is, I know not, for my acquaintance 
with him personally is nothing. When the quarrel occurred, 
that is its date, I do not know, but he once had a serious diffi- 
culty with General John R. Wever and gave him a dangerous 
pistol wound in the side. Some time after that he killed a 
man named Henry Christian. He fled the country and went 
to Central America, where he joined General Walker, of Fili- 
buster fame, was wounded, and taken prisoner, but was 
released after promising not to meddle . any more with the 
institutions or government of that country. He then returned 
home, was tried at Edgefield for murder, found guilty of man- 
slaughter, and sentenced to two years imprisonment in the 
District Jail, which penalty he suffered. After the War of 
Secession he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
which met in Columbia in 1865. In a book, "The South Since 
the War," published in 1866, the writer of that book thus 
speaks of Mr. Tillman as he appeared in that convention: 

"George D, Tillman, a man of immense frame and very con- 



204 HISTORY OF EDGHFIELD. 

siderable abilities, genial and offhand, who has hved in South 
-America and California, and now hails from Edgefield District, 
who has served six j^ears in the State Legislature for honor, 
and two years in the State Penitentiary for manslaughter, 
(South Carolina had no Penitentiary at that time,) who quotes 
philosophy from DeTocqueville, and historical maxims from 
Gibbon — the man who makes friends with everybody, and at 
whom, the gentlemen, so called, of the low country, affect to 
sneer, is a genuine Red Republican in his disregard of what is 
called ancient rights and privileges. Sitting with great blue- 
gray eyes, that seem always half asleep, he is always alert and 
wide awake, slouching along with a rolling gait, he is careful 
and earnest; utterly wanting in the power of orator}' or rheto- 
ric, he has made more points than any other member of the 
Convention, and has carried all of them but one, and that of 
minor importance. He is the leader of the advance line of the 
up-country, delegated, not so much by any election as by the 
inherent force of necessit}', for he fights independently, and 
leaves them no choice but to follow. He is fairly entitled to 
the honors of the da}^ in the open field fight against the Con- 
ner resolution; and has been from the first the restless and 
untiring and self-possessed and good humored enemy of the 
parish system, or to use his own phrase, the Chinese conserva- 
tism of Charleston. His object has been, and still is, to cripple 
the power of the low- country in every possible waj-. He will 
take no bond of fate, but builds his walls of offence and 
defence in the constitution itself. 

"On the tenth day Tillman smote the routed enemy once 
more; he called it reaping the 'first fruits of victor3^' His 
blow came in the form of an amendment to the Constitution, 
providing that after 1869 no district in the State shall have 
more than twelve Representatives. This was aimed at the 
city of Charleston, which now has twenty. The low countrj' 
was exhausted and the amendment was adopted after a brief 
debate by 6r to 43." 

Another estimate of Honorable G. D. Tillman, written 
twenty-five years after the publication of the 'South Since the 
War.' This, too, is the estimate of a Northern man, Amos J. 
Cummings. At the time of the writing Mr. Tillman was Chair- 
man of the Committee on Patents, and the writer says of him: 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 205 

"He is quaint and honest and makes speeches that touch the 
marrow. In appearance he somewhat resembles Horace 
Greeley. But there is a manly ring to his voice, as well as 
virility in his arguments. Once convinced that he is right, 
neither persuasion nor force can drive him from his position. 
He is a brother of the Governor of the Palmetto State, and has ; 
all his brother's characteristics. No man uses the Southern 
dialect more penetratingly. Detecting jobbery in legislation, 
he flies at it like a bulldog, and there is nothing left of it when 
he gets through with it. 

"Mr. Tillman was 65 years old last August, (1891). Born 
in South Carolina, he received an academical education in 
Georgia. He afterward entered Harvard, but did not gradu- 
ate. He studied law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1848. 

He served as a private in the South Carolina Infantry 

and in the Second Regiment of Artillery. After the war he 
became a cotton planter. In the ante-bellum days he had been 
a member of the State Legislature. He was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention under the reconstruction 
proclamation of President Johnson. Afterward he became 
State Senator under the new Constitution. He was a candi- 
date for the Forty-fifth Congress, and unsuccessfully contested 
the scat of Robert Smalls. The Conmiittee on Elections re- 
ported in favor of vacating the election, but the House failed 
to act on the report. 

"This is Mr. Tillman's seventh term. In the Forty-seventh 
Congress he first took his seat. J. Warren Keifer was elected 
Speaker and Mr. Tillman was ousted to make room again for 
General Smalls. Mr. Tillman was a member of the Committee 
on Patents in the Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congress. It is safe 
to say that no patent will ever be renewed while he is Chair- 
man of that Committee. He usually makes two or three 
speeches each session, and they are speeches that command, 
not only the attention, but the admiration of the House. He 
belongs to the old school of statesmen, now almost extinct. 
"South Carolina may well be proud of him." 
He was a candidate for re-election in 1892 and was beaten 
by W. J. Talbert, a native and citizen of his own county, 
Edgefield. 
This generation is retiring all its old sevrants, whether 



206 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

wisely or not it is impossible to say — not for this historian to 
say. 

The progress of events recently has made it necessary to 
write more fully of B. R, Tillman. In 1890 he was elected 
Governor of the State; in 1892 he was re-elected; in 1894 he 
was elected to the Senate of the United States to succeed 
General M. C. Butler, v/ho was retired to private life. 

Whatever may be said of B. R. Tillman for or against, he 
is certainly one of the most remarkable men the County of 
Edgefield — I might say the State has ever produced. Without 
any preliminary political training whatever, never even having 
held any office except that of Captain of a cavalry company to 
which he was elected in 1882, he passed at one bound to the 
position of Governor of the State. From Governor he was 
elected to the United States Senate. By the Democratic Con- 
vention which was held in Columbia in May, 1896, he was 
endorsed as a candidate for President of the United States, 
that is for his name to go before the General Democratic Con- 
vention to be held in Chicago. He stands squarely for the free 
coinage of silver, according to the old standard of value of 16 
to I, as compared with gold. 

Mr. Tillman has the great power of binding his friends to 
him as with hooks of steel, and of making his enemies hate 
him. He seems to be fond of political battles and wants no 
one to be indifferent. 

W. B. DORN. 

Mr. William B. Dorn was once a noted man of this section. 
He discovered a gold mine, which, for a number of j^ears, was 
very productive. If ever mortal man had the gold fever, 
mania it might well be called in his case, he was one. For 
years and years before he made any discoveries worth notice, 
he was a patient and untiring seeker, sinking money all the 
time in fruitless and unprofitable digging. At last his labors 
were crowned with success, and he became a wealthy man. 
The first year's work that paid produced about ten thousand 
dollars. I heard his partner, Mr. Bell, I think his name was, 
describe how it was that they came to sink the first paying 
shaft. He said that they were heart-weary; had been digging 
and prospecting and finding not enough lo make it pay, and 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 207 

had about come to the conclusion to give it up and dig no 
more, but thought they would make one more effort and dig 
wherever the axe, \Ahich Mr. Bell carried in his hand, might 
fall after throwing; and if that digging failed they would try 
no more. Taking the axe bj' the end of the handle Mr. Bell 
whirled it around his head two or three times and let it fly 
with all his might. They dug where it struck the ground and 
their success was assured. 

Mr. Dorn became very wealthy, worth, perhaps, a million 
dollars; married a beautiful young wife and was elected to the 
Legislature. He died about ten years after the war at about 
eighty years of age. At the time of his death he was not rich. 

THE EDWARDSES— ADDITIONAL. 

Joseph Edwards, the great-grandfather of J. C. Edwards, 
was a native of Wales and emigrated to Maryland and lived in 
the old town of Benedict at the mouth of the Patuxent River. 

His son, Jared Edwards, first married Susan Porter, of 
Virginia, who bore him four sous, John, Joseph, Jesse, and 
Stephen, who, all ren\oved to Alabama soon after the war of 
18 1 2. Jared Edwards, the grand-father of J. C, came to 
Edgefield in 1805, and there married for his second wife Re- 
becca Bell, who, also bore him four sons, William, Benjamin, 
James, and Isaac. James never married. Jared Edwards was 
born in the year 1746 and died January 31st, 1832. John 
Crowder Edwards, who gives me this information, is the third 
son of Benjamin Edwards. 

Rev. Zedekiah Watkins, whose name has already been men- 
tioned, was born October 15th, 1791, and died September 25th, 
1867. He was converted at the age of 15, and was ordained 
by John Eandrum and Carson Howell, October 15th, 1826. 



2o8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXIII. 

KANSAS TROUBLES-SECESSION. 

Having brought this history down to a period immediately 
preceding Secession and the war following, it becomes neces- 
sary to write of the events leading to that decisive act, an act 
the most momentous in the history of the world since the 
advent of Christ. 

The student of United States history does not need to be 
informed that from the very beginning the union between the 
States w^as not altogether as cordial as it might have been. 
Absolute cordiality was wanting long before the Republican- 
Abolition party came into being, long before the lawfulness 
of the institution of slavery was called in question by any 
person in any part of the country. There were extreme State 
Rights men at the first before the Constitution w^as adopted and 
the Union formed. Of these the leaders W'Cre Jefferson and 
Patrick Henry in Virginia, and we have already seen that 
some of the ablest men in South Carolina voted against the 
adoption of the Constitution, because it took away from the 
States and gave to the central government too much power. 
There were also extreme Centralists, or Federalists, as they 
were then called, at the first. Conspicuous amongst these 
were Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Washington, 
himself, belonged to that party. These conflicting views 
resulted in a compromise out of which was born the Federal 
Constitution, a^s it w^as when it became part of the organic 
law of the States. Union of some sort, and a closer union 
than was made by the old Articles of Confederation, was found 
to be absolutely necessary, if the States continued to live under 
one general government. So the Constitution was adopted as 
a compromise between conflicting views and opinions. It 
never was entirely satisfactory to anybody. But something 
had to be done, or chaos would come again. It is due to truth 
to say that this great instrument, the result of the delibera- 
tions of the wisest men of the country and of the age, was 
only a compromise of conflicting views and wishes to prevent 
other and greater evils. And like all other compromises, it 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 209 

-vvas not able to stand the day of extreme trial and pressure. 
Long ago a writer in Harper's Monthly or Weekly said that all 
written constitutions become mere waste paper when they 
stand in the way of the advance or evolution of great ideas. 
In our country the seeds of discord existed in the minds, habits, 
and modes of thought and life of the people of the different 
sections, even from the first. Owing to a difference of the 
produce of the lands, and the means by which those lands w'ere 
cultivated, the men of the South were naturally more baronial 
and lordly in their manner and habits. They w'ere also better 
statesmen, and their influence predominated for many years in 
the councils of the nation, during the War of the Revolution, 
before the adoption of the Constitution, and for many years 
following the adoption. Mr. Jefferson, the greatest statesman 
this country has ever produced, seemed to care but little for 
the nation, but took great pride and glory in the freedom and 
independence of the States. His policy ruled for many years, 
and tlie influence of Southern statesmen was paramount, until, 
I am forced to believe, a deep-seated feeling of hatred for the 
South and the Southern people grew out of, supplanted, and 
took the place of that of jealousy, which had existed from the 
first in the minds of the leaders of Northern thought. The 
dislike found full expression and hearty satisfaction in the 
formation of the Abolition and Free Soil parties. 

The Abolition party, pure and simple, was almost a dead 
failure. Its leaders were not wise. They aimed at that 
which, it was too plainly manifest, was entirely beyond their 
jurisdiction to meddle with, and out of their power to accom- 
plish in a direct mode of attack. The feeling of the Abolition 
party at last became embodied in, and found triumphant ex- 
pression through the Free Soil part}-. The life and animating 
.spirit of that party was to prevent the admission of any more 
States holding slaves into the Union. This, it was very easy 
to persuade themselves, that they had a right to do legally 
imder the Constitution. Their standpoint was that all the 
territorial soil then belonging to the United States, or hence- 
forth to be acquired by them, shall be owned by free men, and 
shall be cultivated by free men only. No more extension of 
slavery into the free territory of the United States. No more 
slave States. 



2IO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

The hatred and bitter feeling engendered and fostered by the 
discussion of this subject, in and out of Congress, continued for 
many years, and grew and increased in intensity, until at last 
the}' were quenched in blood — if they have been quenched. 
After many years of weary and bitter agitation the so-called 
compromise measures on the admission of Missouri were intro- 
duced and passed. Mr. Clay, of Kentucky, aided by his great 
influence in having Missouri admitted as a slave State, 
but with the proviso that thereafter no State holding slaves 
should be admitted North of 36° 30', which was the Northern 
boundar}' of that State. Missouri was admitted in the j^ear 
1821. 

For years the discussion on the restriction of slavery had 
been very bitter. The Missouri Compromise did not stop the 
discussion nor the strife, though the tariff question for a time 
held the attention of the people and kept their feelings at 
white heat. That agitation reached its climax in South Caro- 
lina when the Convention of the People of the State, on the 
17th of December, 1832, passed an ordinance nullifying the 
tariff laws of Congress. Again compromise measures were 
resorted to which stilled the agitation and averted a conflict. 
Jackson was then President and would have made short work 
with the job of suppressing nullification in South Carolina, if 
Congress had not taken speedy action. 

In the meantime the discussion of the slavery question never 
ceased. This writer is no longer a young man, having been 
born in 1821, the year of the admission of Missouri into the 
Union; and, looking back over a somewhat long life, he does 
not remember the time when the country had a calm and set- 
tled peace with any prospect of long continuance. Nullifica- 
tion, the Seminole War, the threatened War with France about 
the same time, the War with Mexico, the continued agitation 
of the slavery question. Secession, the War of Secession, the 
terrible period of reconstruction, and now the great danger of 
plutocracy grasping and swallowing into its voracious and 
capacious maw all the liberties and possessions of the toiling 
people, through the operation of the tariff and land monopo- 
lies, with the discussions of other great questions, all show 
that the end is not yet, and that a calm and enduring peace is 
not to be found in a world where moral evil has its fixed seat 



HIST01"Y OF EDGEFIELD.- 211 

and firm abiding place. The suppression of evil, without its 
eradication, is only introducing order into hell. 

The compromise on the tariff settled nothing. The protec- 
tive tariff continued and became the settled polic}- of the 
countr}-, in spite of the fact t'.iat in its very nature it is rob- 
bery. The agitation of the slavery question continued, and 
was intensified whenever a new State applied for admission. 
By the War with Mexico, to which Mr. Calhoun was opposed, 
because he sav/ with clear vision that territor}' would be ac- 
quired, raid that the States w^ould quarrel over it, like a parcel 
of hungry dogs over a bone, a large quantity of territory, 
man)' millions of miles in extent, was added to the landed do- 
main of the Union, and the question immediately arose whether 
an}' of that territorj' should be made into slave States. A 
few years after the close of that war the act of 1S50 was passed, 
by which the Mi.ssouri Compromise of 1820 was repealed, and 
the whole territorial domain of the United States was thrown 
open to settlers from all the States; and the}- were permitted 
to carry their property of all kinds, slaves as vrell as other, 
into any territory wherever they might choose to go or settle: 
and when the time arrived for the formation of State Constitu- 
tions the people might allow or prohibit .slavery as they chose. 
This v.-as a mea.sure of Mr. Clay's, and it i:i::de him more 
popular than he ever had been before. It was thought to 
have been the crowning and most glorious act of his life. He 
hoped, the people hoped, and the whole country iioped for a 
long-continued peace, and that an era of good feeling and of 
good will ha.d come to stay. Mr. Clay did not live long enough 
to see the dissipation of these hopes. He died in the fr.llr.e.is of 
his fame, and content. 

For a little while, a very little while, these hopes seemed 
likely to be realized. They were soon dispelled. They were, 
indeed, a dream baseless and insubstantial. The very fact 
that all the territories. North and South, vv'ithout regard to 
degrees of latitude, were open to all settlers alike, very soon 
roused in the minds of the people of the different parties, pro 
and anti slavery, the intense and inextinguishable desire to fill 
up the new domains, each with settlers of its ov.n sort. The 
fires of .sectional strife soon raged hotter and fiercer than ever. 
Emigrant aid .societies were formed North, in which Bibles and 



212 HISTORY OF KDGP:FIELD. 

rifles played a prominent part. They were also formed in the 
South, in which pistols, perhaps, played a more prominent 
part than either Bibles or rifles. 

Kansas became the first battle ground for settlers from the 
opposing parties. Indeed it was there that the great Civil 
War began. It was there that the celebrated John Brown, 
who was afterwards hanged for his armed invasion of Virginia 
and his attempt to excite an insurrection in that State, first 
became conspicuous as a public character, and whose .soul is 
said to be still marching on. May God in His mercy soon give 
it rest. Kansas became the first battle ground, because it was 
the first territory to apply for admission as a State under the 
new order of things. Emigration societies were formed all over 
the Union for the purpose of aiding settlers to gain a foothold 
in that new region in order to shape its future character and 
destiny as a pro or anti slaverj^ State. 

Edgefield was not backward in this work. Edgefield is 
never backward vvhen live men are wanted to push on any 
work. The District did its part, but how manj^ went to 
Kansas, and how many, if any, became actual settlers, my 
information on this point is too defective to allow me to speak 
with certainty. It was in Kansas that the great Civil War 
began, but that territory was not admitted as a State until 
after Secession was an accomplished fact. 

The two great parties that then divided the people of the 
United vStates, as they yet divide them, were known as the 
Democratic and the Republican; the one State rights, believing 
in the Strict construction of the Constitution; the other na- 
tional in character, in all its proclivities, doctrines, and ten- 
dencies. By a strange infatuation, which can in no otherwise 
be accounted for than by the old saying that whom the gods 
wish to destroy they iirst make mad, the Democratic party, 
which had a majority, both of the people and the States, in- 
stead of uniting their forces upon one man for President and 
one for Vice-President, had three sets of candidates in tlie 
field at the eleciion in i860, and the result of the contest was, 
of course, the election of Mr. Eincoln, the Republican candi- 
date. But, even had the Democratic party at that election 
succeeded in electing, both President and Vice-President, as 
they might have done if thev had had onlv one set of candi- 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 213 

dates, it would only have prolonged the struggle without, in 
the end, producing a different result. 

It appears to have been the fixed determination of the peo- 
ple of South Carolina, vi'hatever it may have been in other 
Southern States, to withdraw from the Union should, the Re- 
publican party succeed in electing the President, and get con- 
trol of the government of the United States. Under tlie 
dominion of the Republican party we had no hopes of being 
able to preserve our. equality in the Union for any Id'ngth of 
time and thought it better to part company and go our own 
way and let them go theirs. Acting according to this resolution, 
without waiting even to try Mr. Lincoln and see whether he 
would be false or true to his oath of office, a convention of 
the people was called soon after the result of the election was 
known. The Act of the Legislature calling the convention 
was ratified on the 13th day of November, i860, and the 
delegates from the several election Districts of the State 
assembled in the Baptist Church, in the town of Columbia, 
at twelve o'clock m., on the 17th day of December, i860. 
The day was Monday. 

The delegates from Edgefield were Francis Hugh Wardlaw, 
R. G. M. Dunovant, James Parsons Carroll, William Gregg, 
Andrew J. Hammond, James Tomkins, James C. Smyley. 

The convention having assembled on motion of Mr. James 
H. Adams, of Richland, Mr. D. F. Jameson, from Barnwell, 
was called to the Chair. Mr. Jameson was afterwards elected 
permanent President of the Convention. As part of the history 
of that momentous time I deem it but proper to give the ad- 
dress of Mr. Jameson when called to the Chair 

He said: "Gentleman, we have met here under circum- 
stances more solemn than any of us have ever been placed in 
before. No one, it seems to me, is duly impressed with the 
magnitude, who does not, at the same time, feel, that he is 
about to enter upon the gravest and most solemn act which 
has fallen to the lot of this generation to accomplish. It is no 
less than our fixed determination to throw oSf a government to 
which we have been accustomed, and to provide new safeguards 
for our future security. If anything has been decided by the 
elections which sent us here, it is that South Carolina must dis- 
solve her connection with the confederacy as speedily as possible. 



214 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

"In the progress ofthis movement we have two great dangers 
to fear — overtures from without and precipitation within. I 
trust the door is now forever closed to all further connection 
with our northern confederates; for, what guarantees can they 
offer us more strictly guarded, or under higher sanctions, than 
the present written compact between us. And did that sacred 
instrument protect us from the jealousy and aggressions of the 
North, commenced fort}^ 5'ears ago, which resulted in the 
Missouri Compromise? 

"Did the Constitution protect us from the cupidity of the 
Northern people, who, for thirty-five years, have imposed the 
burden of supporting the General Government chiefly on the 
industr}' of the South? Did it save us from abolition petitions 
designed to annoy and insult us, in the very halls of our 
Federal Congress? Did it enable us to obtain a single foot of 
the soil acquired in the war with Mexico, where the South 
furnished three-fourths of the money, two-thirds of the men, 
and four-fifths of the graves? Did it oppose any obstacle to 
the erection of California into a free-soil state u'ithout any 
previous territorial existence; will'.out any defined boundaries, 
or any census of her population? Did it throw any protection 
around the Southern settlers of Kansas, vrhen the soil of that 
territory was invaded by emissaries of Emigrant Aid vSocie- 
ties in a crusade preached from Northern pulpits, when 
church men and women contributed Sharp's Rifles and Colt's 
Revolvers to swell the butcher}- of Southern men? And has 
not that Constitution been trodden under foot by almost every 
Northern State in their orcinances nullifjdng all laws made 
for the recoN-ery of fugitive slaves, by which untold millions of 
property have been lost to the South? 

"Let us be no longer duped by paper securities. Written 
constitutions are worthless, unless they are written at the same 
time, in the hearts, and founded on the interests of a people; 
and as there is no common bond of sympathy or interest be- 
tween the North and the South, all efforts to preserve this 
Union, will not only be fruitless, but fatal to the less numer- 
ous section. The other danger to which I referred maj^ arise 
from too great impatience on the part of our people to precipi- 
tate the issue, in not waiting until they can strike with the 
authorit}' of law. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 215 

"At the moment of inaugurating a great movement, like the 
present, I trust that we will go forward and not be diverted 
from our purpose by influences from without. In the outset 
of this movement I can offer you no other motto than Dauton's 
at the commencement of the French Revolution: To dare! 
and again to dare! and without end to dare!" 

Three days thereafter on the 20th of December, i860, the 
Ordinance of Secession was passed by the Convention without 
a single dissenting voice. The Ordinance was as follows: 

AN ORDINANCE 

' 'To dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina 
and other States united with her under the compact entitled 
'The Constitution of the United States of America.' 

" We, the people of the State of Sojcth Carolina, in Convention 
assembled, do deelareayid ordain, and it is hereby deela red and 
ordained; 

"That the Ordinance adopted by us in Convention, on the 
twenty-third day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of 
the United States of America was ratified, and also all acts and 
parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State, ratifying 
amendments of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed; and 
that tlie Union now subsisting between South Carolina and 
other States, under the name of the United States of America, 
is hereby dissolved." 

On the question being put, "\Vill the Convention adopt the 
Ordinance?" it passed in the affirmative. Yeas, 169; nays, 
none. 

So the great and decisive act of Secession was accomplished; 
that act which brought a terrible and bloody war of four years' 
duration; hastened that end from which we had so long 
shrunk; completely changed our institutions; paved the way 
for other changes, which are now in rapid process of develop- 
ment, and the end of which no man can see. The position in 
which we, the people of Edgefield and of the State, find our- 
selves to-day is one which would have been utterly impossible 
under the old order of things. Whether the changes which are 
now so rapidly moving on, not only in South Carolina, but in 
the whole country, are to bring about a better state of things, 



21 6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

or whether they will ultimately end in disastrous wreck and 
ruin to the whole country, it is impossible for the wisest states- 
man to foresee and predict with certainty. Whatever the end 
may be, this we know that men in their selfish and evil blind- 
ness are sure to bring disasters upon themselves as they are, 
because they do not aim at what is right, but at that which 
they think will be gainful to themselves, whether right or 
wrong. Little did the Convention of i860 dream of the events 
of the next four years! They thought the people of the North 
would not fight; that they loved money too well to think of 
going to war to make a coercive union, and that the experi- 
ment would be entirely too costly. Or, even supposing that 
they should resort to arms to preserve the Union, we felt that 
we could whip them, and that after a few well-fought battles, 
in which they would be sure to get the worst of it, they would 
be glad to make peace, and to let us go our own separate ways 
without further molestation. 

There was no opposition in Edgefield to the action of the 
Convention, and the vote of their delegates was heartily en- 
dorsed by almost ex'erj'body. When the act of Secession was 
consummated great enthusiasm was felt and manifested every- 
where, and preparations for war began to be made in all parts 
of the district. We have already briefly noticed the enthusi- 
asm manifested at Mount Willing. As it was there, so it was 
in all parts of the county. The war drums beat and volunteer 
campanies began to be formed at an early day. Meantime, 
however, efforts were made by South Carolina and by the 
Confederate government, which was soon formed by the Seces- 
sion of other States from the old Union, to make a peaceful 
solution of the existing difhculties without resorting to the 
terrible arbitrament of arms. These efforts were all in vain. 
Mr. Buchanan and the authorities of the United States govern- 
ment could not receive the commissioners sent on to Washing- 
ton in any other manner than as private gentlemen. They 
had no power nor authority to treat with them, or to make 
any arrangement looking to or recognizing the fact of the dis- 
solution of the existing Union. Our conniiissioners effected 
nothing; and preparations for war went on all over the State. 
Companies were formed and moved to Charleston. Fort 
Sumter was invested and batteries were erected on Morris 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 21/ 

Island, manned by cadets from the South Carolina Military 
Acadeni}^ and commanded by Major P. F. Stevens. Fort 
Sumter was thus invested to prevent re-enforcements, or sup 
plies of any kind from being sent to Major Anderson, who 
commanded there, and not for the purpose, as yet, of making 
an attack upon the fort. On the gtli of January, i86r, just 
twenty-nine days after the passage of the Ordinance of Seces- 
sion, the Star of the West, a light ocean steamer, made an effort 
to pass the batteries with supplies for Fort Sumter. She was 
fired into, when she retired and did not again try to pass. 

All efforts at negotiation having failed, and at this time it 
being well known to the Confederate authorities that it was 
the fixed purpose of the United States government to re-enforce 
Fort Sumter, an attack was determined on. Accordingly, 
General Beauregard, who then had command of the Confeder- 
ate forces at Charleston, was instructed to demand its surrender, 
and if the demand was not complied with, to proceed at once 
to attack. On the nth of April, 1861, he made the demand. 
The demand was replied to in the negative, and at half past 
four A. M. on the next day, the firing began. The bombard- 
ment of the fort continued steadily for thirty-two hours, when 
Major Anderson surrendered. No one was killed on either 
side in this memorable contest. At this time General Beaure- 
gard had under his command about six thousand Confederate 
troops, a part of whom, one regiment, commanded by Colonel 
Maxcy Gregg, of Columbia, was from South Carolina. There 
were two companies from Edgefield, one led by Cicero Adams 
and the other by Captain Robert Merrivvether. 



2l8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXIV. 

The larger number of volunteers from Edgefield were em- 
bodied in the Seventh and Nineteenth Regiments. The 
Seventh South Carolina was organized at Camp Butler, on the 
15th of April, 1861, to serve for twelve months. Thomas G. 
Bacon was elected Colonel; Robert Fair, lyieutenant Colonel; 
and Emmet Seibles, Major. This regiment was among the 
first to go to Virginia. It was formed into a br gade with the 
Second, Third, and Eighth South Carolina, and placed under 
General Bonham as Brigadier, and always occupied the ad- 
vanced position of our army around Centreville. In the move- 
ment from Fairfax to Bull Run, and before the battles of the 
1 8th and 21st of July, this brigade covered the rear. During 
these battles the Seventh and Third were not engaged, though 
under artillery fire. The Second and Eighth were engaged. 
Soon after this General Bonham resigned, having been elected 
to the Confederate Congress, and J. B. Kershaw was appointed 
Brigadier, a position he honorably filled to the close of the 
war. At the expiration of the twelve months for which the 
Seventh had enlisted, a reorganization became necessar}' — a re- 
organization and enlistment for the war. 

On the 12th of May, 1862, the reorganization was effected 
and D. Wyatt Aiken, of Abbeville, was elected Colonel; Dr. 
Elbert Bland, of Edgefield, I,ieutenant Colonel; and White, 
Major. At the battle of Sharpsburg, Colonel Aiken was shot 
through the lungs and disabled for the war, when the com- 
mand devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Bland; and by the 
death of Major White, John S. Hard, of Graniteville, senior 
Captain, became Major. Colonel Bland and Major Hard were 
both killed at the battle of Chickamauga. Colonel Bland had 
served as A.ssistant Surgeon during the Mexican W^ar. Al- 
though Major Hard was the senior Captain of the regiment, 
was a married man and had left at home several children, yet 
such was his youthful appearance that he was known as the 
boy soldier of the regiment. Captain William Clark, of 
Saluda, near Chappell's Ferry; Captain John W. Kemp, of 
Mountain Creek, and Lieutenant A. T. Traylor, of Liberty 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 219 

Hill, were all officer? of merit in the Seventh Regiment, and 
were all killed in battle. Lieutenants J. B. Bouknight, W. J. 
Denny, J. M. Daniel, and W. A. Rutland were also members 
of this regiment. 

The Nineteenth Regiment was never sent to Virginia, but 
was attached to the Western Army, and all its service was 
under Bragg, Johnston, and Hood, and other generals com- 
manding in that department. William C. Moragne, a lawyer 
from Edgefield, who had served as Lieutenant in the Palmetto 
Regiment during the War with Mexico, was first Colonel of 
the Nineteenth, but he died soon after the war began, and was 
succeeded b}^ A. J. Lythgoe, of Abbeville. Colonel Lythgoe 
and Major John A. Crowder, of this regiment, were both 
killed in battle. After Colonel Lythgoe's death Lieutenant 
Colonel John P. Shaw had command until he w^as wounded 
and taken prisoner at Franklin, Tennessee; that "dearest vic- 
tory of the war," as Mr. Caldwell, in his History of McGowan's 
Brigade, well calls it. Colonel Shaw was succeeded in com- 
mand by Captain Thomas W. Getsen. Captain W. S. Peter- 
son, of Big Creek, who was killed at Atlanta; Captain William 
Norris, from near Bate.sburg; and Captain John C. Shaw, of 
Curry ton, all belonged to the Nineteenth Regiment; as also 
Sergeant Thomas Chapman, (mortally wounded at Atlanta) 
Levi Crouch, Hiram Holstein, Lieutenants; and Lieutenant 
John C. Wheeler, Color-Bearer, killed at Atlanta. At the 
close of the Vv'ar Robert Merri wether was Major, and he, with 
some others, shamed and disgusted with the conclusion of the 
struggle, and being rather hopeless of the future of our part of 
the country, emigrated to Brazil. 

Major John Blocker, of Blocker Town.ship, and Captain R. 
W. Tonikins, of the Hampton Legion, were killed during the 
war. Colonel Twiggs, afterwards killed by Mr. Robert 
Butler, and Colonel Thomas G. Lamar, were quite prominen*:, 
active and dfficient soldiers and officers. Captain James Till- 
man, brother of B. R. Tillman; Captain W. F. Trescott, Cap- 
tain James J. Gregg, of Graniteville, and Major B. E. Nichol- 
son, all good soldiers, have died since the war. The foregoing 
names will all appear again with many others, all that can be 
obtained, in the rolls to be inserted at the close of the book. 

It was while Colonel Shaw was in command of the Nine- 



220 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

teenth Regiment that this writer became a member of it, in Cap- 
tain W. S. Peterson's company. Captain Peterson was at home 
at the time on rtcruiting service, his company having been, 
temporarily, consolidated wnth that of Captain Chatham, who 
was left in command. This was while the army was in winter 
qnarters at Dalton, Georgia, in command of which General 
Joseph E. Johnston had been recently placed. A six months 
term of service had just expired of the Second Regiment of 
State troops under Colonel William Fort, stationed at Poco- 
taligo and forming part of the brigade of Brigadier General 
Walker, who had been promoted from Colonel to Brigadier 
for his skillful defence of the place and successful repulse of 
the enemy at that point. At Pocotaligo I saw many men 
from Edgefield, some of whom had seen a good deal of service 
before. Captain Ira Cromley, Geo. D. Huiett, C. L. Refo, 
Lemuel Salter, who had been through the Kentucky campaign 
under Bragg — and others. I afterwards met Salter at Dalton, 
and after the campaign opened, one Friday night a short time 
before I was wounded, we stood, or rather lay all night 
together on picket duty, where we were fired at all night long 
by a picket on the other side. There is no danger of being 
shot now for sleeping on post then, but I slept some that 
night and was asleep when the officer of the day, or rather 
night, passed. My companion was awake and did not even 
nod the whole night. 

It w^as very pleasant to. leave the low-country about Poco- 
taligo, the low-lands all flooded with water, and go to the 
hilly uplands above Dalton in the neighborhood of the moun- 
tains. It was while we were in winter quarters at this place 
that I joined in the last game of snow-balling I have ever had. 
When the snow-balling began I had no thought of taking any 
part — only wanted to look on a while. It was brigade against 
brigade, division against division, I do not remember which, 
but I think division against division, as there seemed to be man)^ 
thousands engaged. It was a fine spectacle and fine ^fun to 
the participants. This writer got the worst of the fight, just 
as he has got the worst of it in all the battles of life. But 
when overcome he was kindly treated by his captors and sent 
back to his temporary home without having suffered any det- 
riment. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 221 

Shortly before the openiug of the campaign of 1864, that is 
before active operations began, one bleak windy day in March, 
not very cold, but awfully disagreeable, there was a grand 
review and inspection of the whole army. This is the only 
time that I ever saw General Johnston. I saw Hindman 
and Hood and some others frequently, but I think that at this 
general review is the only time I ever saw our general-in-chief. 
At this review we had something less than 48,000 men under 
arms — rations were issued to about that number. Over beyond 
the mountains above Dalton Sherman had a force of 150,000. 
During the whole campaign until General Johntson was re- 
lieved of the command, the disparity between the two armies 
remained about the same. And yet under these circumstances 
positive orders were sent down from the ruling powers of the 
Confederacy at Richmond that we must go forward; that Gen- 
eral Johnston must make a forward movement. Undoubtedly 
he could have made a forward movement; he could have 
abandoned his position at Dalton; moved South and Westward, 
and perhaps have flanked Sherman and gone into Tennessee, 
as Hood did afterwards. He could not have made a movement 
more pleasing to Sherman. But it is too late to discuss now 
what might have been done; it is the business of the historian 
to relate what was done. 

When active operations began we entrenched ourselves 
above Dalton to oppose the forward movement of Sherman. 
That General was far too wary and wise to make a direct 
attack upon us in our entrenched position. He knew that he 
could not carry it. He felt it. He knew where its strong 
points were, and he knew that, with ten times the number of 
men he had with him, he could not break General Johnston's 
lines by any direct attack. He did not make the attempt. 
He knew, however, that his army far outnumbered Johnston's 
and that he could increase his numbers by drawing on other 
divisions in the North and West, and he knew that Johnston 
had almost literally nowhere to draw from, as many thousand 
men too old for military service and many thousand boys too 
young were already in the ranks. These facts were as well 
known to Sherman as they were to us, and therefore he knew 
that it was utterly impossible for General Johnston to prevent 
a flank movement. Flank he did, and General Johnston was 



222 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

drawn out of his stronghold at Dalton and made to move to 
Resaca, where the first fighting of the campaign was done. 

The reader of this history will please pardon the writer if a 
little personal narrative here and elsewhere mingles with the 
story, for when one has been an actor in the scenes and inci- 
dents he undertakes to narrate and describe it is almost im- 
possible to keep the personality of the first person from in- 
truding itself. 

When active operations began and permanent camp was 
broken up for good, this writer, with a few others, was de- 
tailed to go with the wagons and superintend the cooking 
which was done by colored servants belonging to officers and 
soldiers of the regiment. This detail was not agreeable to the 
feelings of the writer and he expressed as much to the Sergeant 
wdio brought him the detail. This the Sergeant reported to 
the Captain, who sent for the writer to appear before him. 
The Captain explained that it was necessary for some one to 
go, in whom they had confidence, and who was not a very 
able bodied man. "Very well," was the reply, "I will go, of 
course. It is a soldier's dut)^ to go wherever he is ordered, 
but if I do not like it I am coming back here and report to 
you." He said all right and 1 took my detail 'from Assistant 
Adjutant General Dean and left for the rear. This Captain 
was Captain Chatham, a young man from Abbeville, who was 
well liked as an officer and as a man. He was afterwards 
mortally wounded by the same ball that wounded me and 
permanently disabled me as a soldier. If every gun fired by 
the enemy had been as fatal to our ranks the Confederate 
army would soon have been nowhere. I remained with the 
wagons about ten days, having really a very comfortable time, 
though slightly exposed to the fire of the enemy for a little 
while at Resaca. All the while that I was with the w^agons it 
seemed as though I was out of place and that a burden was 
pressing upon me which grew heavier every day, and that I 
must go back to my compan}^ to get rid of a weight which was 
becoming well nigh intolerable. So one pleasant afternoon 
about the middle of May I spoke to Captain Sullivan, of Edge- 
field, Quarter-Master, and told him that I wanted to go back 
to my company. "Well," he said in that quiet, easy way 
habitual with him, "you may as well go." The burden was 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 223 

lifted at once and I felt that I was going home. I took my 
knapsack and haversack, and in an hour's time reported to 
Captain Chatham and took my place in line. I found them 
in line of battle at the time; but, indeed, they were always, or 
nearly always in line of battle from the beginning of that cam- 
paign to its close. A few days after this the feeling came 
upon me that I would be wounded soon, but that it would not 
kill me. I mentioned it to my brother, Sergeant Chapman, 
who was with me; mentioned it several times. He said that 
he had never felt any such sensations in all his three years' 
experience of the war. Every day for a week or ten days 
before the time arrived I could feel the fatal moment draw- 
ing nearer and nearer, as sensibly as the eye can perceive any 
object moving before it. At last on Sundaj' night, the night 
of the 29th of May, 1864, it came. On Saturday the 28th 
Granberr3''s Texas brigade had a sharp encounter with the 
eneni}-. Manigault's brigade relieved them and took their 
position, and all da}^ Sunday we la 3^ in presence of the enemy 
near enough to hear a loud voice speaking across the interven- 
ing distance. While lying here I said to my brother, 
"Thomas, I'll get it soon, but it won't kill me." At about 
two or half past two that night as we were all lying down in 
line — some firing going on all the time — suddenly — it seemed 
to me quite near — a gun fired. The ball came diagonally 
across the line, passed through my right leg just above the 
ankle, tearing out the smaller bone, as I w^as l3'ing on my left 
side; struck Captain Chatham near the pit of the stomach and 
lodged in his bowels. My first words spoken after I received 
the wound were: "Bo3'S, I've got it;" the next, "Olvord, how 
it hurts!" I got up and tried to walk, but could not touch 
the right foot to the ground, but stood on the left, supported 
b3' the gun. Sergeant Mathis or Matthews, then said to me: 
"Mr. Chapman, lie down." I replied: "Takeme tothe rear." 
I knew that I was done for for that time. Billie Reese with his 
litter then came up. I was placed very carefully upon it and 
borne off. I asked Billy about m>' gun and told him that I 
wanted it properl3' taken care of and sent to the ammunitiou 
or arsenal wagon. "O," he says, "damn your gun we are 
after taking care of you now. ' ' Captain Chatham and mj-self 
were both carried back together to a little house .somewhere. 



224 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

At this little house, just before I was lifted into the wagon to 
be transported to Marietta, I saw Captain W. S. Peterson for 
the last time. He had a few days before returned from re- 
cruiting service and immediately resumed command of his 
company. He was afterwards killed at Atlanta in one of 
Hood's fool-hardy efforts to carry Sherman's works by storm. 
Captain Chatham was alive when I left him, but he died that 
evening or night. 

A few days before I was wounded and my military service — 
service in the field — closed forever, we had a fight at New 
Hope Church. As we marched down the road towards the 
church, which was quite near, taking note of what a clean, 
pleasant place it was, I remarked to my comrades: "Boys, 
this would be a mighty pretty place for a fight." Soon we 
were halted and marched down to the right in the woods, and 
began to throw up breastworks. A sharp engagement soon 
ensued, in which the Federals engaged were severely pun- 
ished. Our brigade was not actually engaged, though it was 
under fire. The Federals called this engagement the "Battle 
of Pumpkin Vine Creek;" we called it the "Battle of New 
Hope Church." I suppose there was a pumpkin vine creek 
somewhere about. Long after the war a monument was 
erected to commemorate the career of some New York Regi- 
ment, and engraved upon it were the names of all the battles 
in which the regiment had been engaged during the war, with 
the losses sustained in each. The getters up of the monument 
were very well pleased with the whole concern, until they 
came to Pumpkin Vine Creek, in which battle the regiment 
had sustained very heavy loss, heavier, indeed, than it had 
sustained in any other battle. But Pumpkin Vine Creek! 
They could not stand the name! The idea of suffering so 
much at Pumpkin Vine Creek! They could not stand it. At 
length they happily discovered that the Confederates had 
given the name of the Battle of New Hope Chuich to this en- 
gagement. This name was adopted and the monument stands 
with the name of New Hope Church engraved upon it. 

From Marietta I was carried to Atlanta and placed in 
Gilmer Hospital, which was in charge of Dr. Michel, of Char- 
leston. My ward was under Dr. Rutherford, of Kentucky, 
a kind-hearted, good man, to whom I am under many obliga- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 225 

tions for courtesies shown in bringing me books, and in other 
■ways. Books! Books! How hungry I was for books! What 
a glorious time I dreamed of having when I could get home 
and find myself amongst my books once more! In hospital I 
devoured everything in the shape of books that I could get 
hold of. Some kind lady brought the life of Daniel Webster; 
and some one gave me a copy of Young's Night Thoughts. 
That is a grand book. Though over tw^o hundred years old, it 
is as fresh and good to-day as it was when it was first pub- 
lished. From that book more pithy sayings have gone into 
the common English speech, and have become the property of 
the thought and language of the people than from any other 
printed in the English language, except the Bible, and that is 
not originally an English book. 

The hospitals remained at Atlanta until the approach of the 
combatants necessitated a removal to Forsyth. 

Here I must be permitted to correct a statement made by 
General Howard in his account of this campaign. He says it 
rained almost incessantly during the month of May. In fact it 
rained very little during May; but it rained day and night 
during June. All through the month of June, 1864, I was 
lying on my back in the hospital tent, listening to the weari- 
some clang of iron and machiner}- at the Confederate work- 
shops, which were not far off, and watching the steady down 
pour of rain. It was June and not May, General How^ard, 
during which there was a steady down pour of rain almost 
without cessation. There was, however, one tremendous fall 
of rain in the early part of the night of the 9th of May, to 
which I was exposed. x\nd that was ver)^ nearly all the rain 
that fell during May; but through June it fell day and night, 
nearly all the time. 

On the loth of August I received a furlough for sixty days. 
The hospital was then at Forsyth. From Forsyth we had to 
go to Macon, at w'hich place we were delaj-ed just 23 hours. 
At Macon we saw Stoneman and his raiders, who had recently 
been captured and were then about to take the train for Char- 
leston. They were an insolent looking set of fellows, and 
their appearance, deportment, and general manner inspired 
this writer with no worse feeling than a very natural and 
laudable desire to kick them. From Augusta we had to pass 



226 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

through B»-anchville, Orangeburg, and Columbia on the way 
home. I had heard of the good deeds of that noble lady, Mrs. 
Rowe, and at Orangeburg I was so happy as to see her come 
on board with baskets of provisions for the hungry soldiers. 
Being convalescent after a sojourn in hospital of a little over 
ten weeks, I wps always hungry. As soon as I saw Mrs. 
Rowe's benevolent face I smiled and bowed to her. She came 
to me at once, opened her basket, and gave me to eat until I 
was ashamed to eat any more, and thought that I must leave 
something for some other sufferer. That night I slept at the 
Wayside Hospital, in Columbia, not the Ladies' Hospital, and 
left more hungry in the morning than when I arrived there at 
night. On the 13th of August I arrived at home safe, and 
found all well and at peace. The clang of arms was not heard 
in that section, (Mount Enon) though some small part of the 
Confederate Army, cavalry, camped for a day and night only 
a few miles away. The Federal Cavalry that did so much 
devilment in the lower" part of Edgefield and Newberry, did 
not come nearer than thirty miles of us. I laid aside the 
weapons of carnal warfare forever, and when the time comes 
to go to my eternal home, I think I can say with truth, that, 
whatever my feelings may have been and are towards the 
Yankees, I have never killed nor hurt one of them. 

But I have written enough, and more than enough, the 
reader may very properly think of my own personal adventures 
during the comparatively short time in which I was in the 
field, though the whole term of my service was over eighteen 
months. My excuse must be that as men grow old they be- 
come garrulous. ♦ 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 225F 



XXV. 

THE SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

As already stated the volunteers from Edge fieldwere mostly 
embodied in the Nineteenth and Seventh Regiments. Tho^r 
in the Nineteenth went West and were in all the campaigns^ 
and battles in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and. 
elsevvhere disastrous or fortunate; and those who endured or 
survived so long were with Johnston at the final surrender. 
Some were in the Twentj'-fourth which also v^ent West. Those- 
in the Seventh were early sent to Virginia and shared in aH 
the glories and disasters that befell I^ee's veterans from the first 
fight at Bull Run to the closing scenes around Richmond and 
the falling of the curtain at Appomattox. 

The story of that regiment as told by one who vvas in it ancV. 
part of it, almost from the first until very nearly the close now 
lies before me, and from it I propose to condense briefly an;' re- 
late its history. It was organized at Camp Butler, S. C, April 
15th, 1S61, to serve for twelve months; Thomas G. Bacon, 
Colonel; Robert Fair, Lieutenant Colonel; Emmet Seibles, 
Major. It was amongst the first to go to Virginia and with 
the Second, Third, and Eighth it formed a brigade under M. 
L. Bonham, afterwards under J. B. Kershaw. This regiment 
was not engaged at the battle of Bull Run, First Manassas,, 
though under artillery fire. The writer of the sketch, froia 
which we draw, enlisted for the war in a re-enlisted company 
(M), of which E. Jerry Goggans was elected Captain on the 
24th of March, 1862, and joined the regiment on the Penin- 
sula. On the Peninsula they were under command of General 
J. B. Magruder until the arrival of General J. E. Johnston. 
They were near, but not engaged in the battle of Williamsburg. 
On the 1 2th of May, 1862, the regiment was re-organized. At 
an election for field officers held on the 13th, D. Wyatt 
Aiken was elected Colonel; Elbert Bland, Lieutenant Colonel;. 

and White, Major. This regiment was in all the campaigns 

of tlie Peninsula and around Richmond under Magruder and. 
Johnston and Lee. They were in the desperate conflict at. 
Malvern Hill, v.here Lieutenant J. R. Bouknight was killed. . 



228 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

'They were in the invasion of Maryland, fording the Potomac 
"where it was about 400 yards wide. Some soldiers stripped 
=naked in order to keep their clothes dry; most of them only 
^pulling off their pants and drawers, keeping on their shirts; 
some only rolled up their breeches, and these got their clothes 
wet, as the water came up higher than they could roll their 
breeches. 

In Mar> land they met many friends and some foes. The 
friends would smile and wave their handkerchiefs, and a smile 
from a lovely girl was very charming. The enemies would 
close their doors as the Confederates passed, grin and make 
faces at them through the windows. As they passed Freder- 
ick City great demonstrations were made by both friends and 
foes — some ladies brought pails of water; some milk, some 
bread, some waved handkerchiefs, and Confederate flags, while 
others waved Union flags from the windows and held their 
: noses as the Southerners passed. "A Georgia Major, inspired 
by the occasion and by liquor was riding along the lines and 
.:speaking. He was calling the attention of the citizens to the 
.grand, invincible army of the South. As he passed Kershaw's 
'brigade he said: 'I'm a Georgian, but I give to South Caro- 
lina the honor of beginning this struggle for liberty?' We 
cheered him and he passed on." 

This regiment was at the takii-ig of Harper's Ferry and 
plaj^ed an important part in that enterprise. They were at 
the battle of Sharpsburg, where Colonel Aiken fell, shot 
through the lungs, and the regiment lost 169 killed and 
■vvQunded, being half that went into action. Company M lost 
17 killed and v.-ounded out of 29 that v/ere present on the field 
v-of- .battle. Major White was killed in this battle. After 
-crossing the Potomac at Winchester on the return from Mary- 
land after the battle of Sharpsburg, Lieutenant Colonel Bland 
took command of the regiment. He had been wounded at Sav- 
age Station and was not at Sharpsburg. J. S. Hard, senior Cap- 
tain, became Major. He was afterwards killed at Chickamauga. 

I am tempted to give here large extracts from this Diary of 
Sergeant J. J. McDaniel, of company M, as personal narratives 
always have great cliarms for me; but I am compelled to 
forego that pleasure. I 3'ield, however, to the temptation to 
•give a description of "winter quarters." 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 229 

"The Seventli Regiment remained encamped near Fredericks- 
burg from the time of the battle of the 1 3th of December till the 
loth of January, 1863. On that day McL,aw's Division move^d" 
back some six miles from town, where we could obtain wood 
plentifully. For \vhere a division encamps during the winter- 
in a cold climate, it takes but a little while to clear large- 
fields, leaving not a tree, where so lately waved a large forest. 
Our brigade was placed in the midst of a dense forest, the 
regiments composing it being crowded together closer than 
usual. Here we went regularly into winter quarters, and I 
will describe here the appearance of some of our quarters. 
With the exception of a very few officers v;e had no wall 
tents; but a simple Hy. which is a piece of canvass stretched 
across a ridge pole, generally raised on two forks as high as 
you could reach, so as to be convenient to hang up articles. 
We often run our waist belts around the pole, buckling them for 
a 'rack,' or swing for our guns, and these in their turn .serving- 
to hang clothes upon and other articles of camp equipage. The 
ends of the canvass we pegged to the ground on each side, 
some six or .seven feet from the upright forks, leaving the 
tent open at both ends, with but little inside. To obviate this, 
inconvenience most of the meirses built log pens 3 or 4 feet 
high, and put the fly on top of this pen, which, when daubed- 
with mud, formed an excellent wall to exclude the rigor of" 
the winter. To complete the tent a chimney must now be 
built. This is first made of .sticks and afterwards daubed with 
mud. Many being too lazy to build their cliimney high, 
enough with* sticks, obtained empty flour barrels, which they 
set on top to lengthen out the funnel. The.se generally burnt 
up, as they could not be daubed or plastered v/ith mud t& 
shield them. It was no uncommon thing to he.ir a passer-by 
cry out to the inmates, 'Your barrel is on fire.' But there are 
other kinds of tents or quarters which .some bui'd without any 
canvass. These resemble the roof of a house, and are made by 
leaning poles or boards against the ridge pole at an angle oi 
about 45 degrees, and covering the.se vv-ith leave.-5 and dirt, torn-r 
a very warm tent. Others again, when the}- are camped on 
the side of a hill, cut out a tent in the side of the hill, making 
solid walls of earth, and thus literally, Esquimaux fashion, 
burrowing under ground. These excel all otliers in u'annth. 



.izyt HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

The next question after the tent is finished is how shall we 

sleep? for it is unhealthy to sleep on the ground, with nothing 

.%ut your bedding under you, though some do it. The plan 

generally adopted is to drive up four forks some 2 feet high, 

form a scaffold, and cover this with small poles, upon which 

. make j^our bed. This seems pretty rough at first, as soldiers 

'don't have bedding enough to make the poles soft, yet in a 

-few nights they would not exchange them for feather beds. 

""'The amusements and employments of our soldiers while in 
winter quarters were various. The inclemency of the weather 
during this winter in Virginia, was such that for weeks we did 
not drill. There were many heavy falls of snow, generally 
followed by rain. Two or three days after a heavy fall of 
•.-mow the country for miles around would be full of soldiers 
liunting rabbits. When they would get on one's track in the 
snow, they would be almost sure to 'jump' him, and then he 
was almost sure to be caught, for, hindered on one hand by 
the deep .snow, and, headed on all sides by soldiers, he v/as 
soon captured. I have known some exciting races. 

"Another great sport was snow balling. Frequently when 
^-yoia showed your head outside of your tent you would be 
-saluted with a volley of snow balls, and if you were not dis- 
posed to join in the fight your best policy would be to double- 
quick out of danger. I have frequently seen one regiment 
arrayed against another in these snow ball battles, led by their 
re.spective officers. In fact, I have seen two brigades meet in 
these bloodless contests, each man having a haversack full ot 
ready-made snow balls. In such a battle the air is white with 
the flying missiles, darting sportively through the contcndin.g 
ranks. 

"Other favorite sports were the various games of town ball. 
"But I am sorry to say that many spent most of their time at 
cards, playing and betting on games of chance. I have known 
soldiers paid off 2 or 3 months' wages, and before night lose it 
.aJl gambling. How much more profitably it would be to them 
lo spend their time in reading some religious book or tract, and 
^then save their money, character, and morals. 

''■'Nothing of an exciting nature occurred for some time to 
Tareak the dull monotou)^ of camp life in winter quarters. We 
received a daily mail from Richmond, together with the daily 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 23I 

papers, which served as a source of instruction and a means of 
employing profitably much of our time. The 'Dispatch,' 
'Whig,' 'Examiner,' and 'Sentinel' were eagerly sought to 
learn the latest news. We paid for each of these papers mostly 
15 cents, sometimes less and frequently more. We sometimes 
formed clubs of eight or ten, which would enable the club to 
read all the dailies at a small cost to each member. The 
Illustrated Southern News was the favorite weekly, in which 
we received a likeness and history weekly of some of our dis- 
tinguished generals. We also received a great many religious 
papers and tracts, sent by the various religious associations 
for that purpose throughout the Confederacy. These, like 
bread cast upon the waters, will doubtless be gathered after 
many days. Their fruits in part were seen in the revivals 
which followed in the spring. . . . Our camp had the 
appearance of a busy workshop on cold winter evenings. You 
could see the soldiers coming and going in all directions, 
carrying wood for the night, and the soimd of many axes re- 
sounded throughout the camp. 

"Our regiment picketed at Fredericksburg. When it came 
our turn to go we would stay a week and quarter in the houses 
around the town. We picketed up the river, near a mile 
above town, opposite Falmouth, a small place on the north 
bank of the Rappahannock. The Yankees were stationed on 
that bank and we on the south. By agreement the pickets 
did not fire at each other across the river w^av Fredericksburg. 
For awhile they exchanged papers, and the Yankees would 
swap cofiee for tobacco. The means by which this traffic was 
conducted was a very small boat into which they put the 
articles, and then arranging sails it was carried over by the 
winds. The Yankee officers captured one that some of ours 
sent over called the 'Body Louse'. They stated in their ac- 
count of it that they would send it to Washington to be placed 
in the patent office as a curiosity." 

But winter quarters passed away; and the campaign of 1863, 
with all its battles and bloodshed, began about the middle of 
April. In May of this year was fought the battle of Chancel- 
lorsville, where Stonewall Jackson was killed, a loss from 
which the Confederacy never recovered. The writer of the 
Diary from which we are reading says: "Chancellorsville, 



232 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

which consisted of a large house used as a hotel and latterly 
as a female boarding school, was all in flames when he saw it. 
It had been set on fire by our shells. This was Hooker's 
headquarters, and report says that while leaning against a 
piazza post it was knocked down by a cannon ball, precipi- 
tating him to the ground. He villianously retained several 
ladies in the house, saying to them that General I,ee would 
not fire on the house while they were in it. The Richmond 
Dispatch gave the names of the ladies, and a full account of 
it. They plead with the brutal coward, telling him that 
General Lee would not sacrifice a victory for the sake of a 
few ladies — that there was too much at stake — the cause of 
the entire Confederacy. Yet he would not let them go till the 
house was in flames, and then he had to mov§ his own carcass 
to a safer place." Some w-ounded soldiers were burned to 
death in the house, and many in the woods which took fire 
from Jackson's artilIer3^ 

It would be a pleasure to give the sergeant's account of this 
battle in full, aifd of the march of the army into Pennsylvania 
and of the battle of Gettysburg, but want of space forbids. 

The writer of the Diary was wounded at Gettysburg — shot 
clear through the body, the ball passing through the lungs. 
As soon as he was able to travel he was sent home, leaving 
the army on the 2nd of July, 1S63. He returned to it again, 
arriving there on the 19th of July, 1864, having been absent a 
little over one year. His Diary contains an account of the 
movements of the army and of the battles in which his regi- 
ments were engaged during his absence. After his return he 
served faithfully, continuing his record until tlie 28th of 
December, 1S64, when he was honorably discharged from the 
army on account of his wound, which, it was considered, en- 
tirely disabled him for further military service. He left 
Richmond on the 29th of December, 1864, and arrived at 
home on Monday, the 2nd of January, 1865. Having been 
wounded at Gettysburg, he was not with his regiment when it 
was sent to the assistance of Bragg at Chickamauga, nor 
when it passed through Middle and East Tennessee on the 
return to Virginia. 

The Diary is well written, and could it be printed and pub- 
lished, it would make a valuable contribution to the history of 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 233 

the war. It portrays faithfully the spirit which animated the 
men in the ranks. 

But perhaps enough has been written in this book about the 
war. In that time of fiery trial, as far as is known to this 
writer, Edgefield did her part nobly and well. 

We will go back for a little while to an earlier period in our 
history and give a brief account of one of the dead towns of 
Edgefield and its father and builder. 

We will give first, however, the following papers from the 
Edgefield Advertiser of July 31st, 1S61, and June nth, 1S62: 

SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION. 

A meeting of the ladies of Edgefield and its vicinity was 
held at the Masonic Hall on Monday morning at 10 o'clock. 
The meeting was called to order and Mrs. J. A. Bland was 
called to the Chair. After stating the object of the meeting 
the following preamble and resolutions were offered by Mrs. 
Captain Bland and unanimously adopted: 

Whereas, As our country is involved in all fhe turmoil and 
strife of horrid war, and all that is dear to us is at stake. 

Resolved, That we, the ladies of Edgefield, do desire to aid our brave 
and suffering soldiers, so far as it is iu the province of woman to do. 

Resolved, 2nd. That we form ourselves into a Soldiers' Relief Asso- 
ciation. 

Resolved, 3rd. That the object of this Ass )ciatiou sha'.l be the pro- 
curing and making of all articles necessary for the comfort of all the 
troops without discrimination who represent Edgefield. 

Resolved, 4th. That each lady on paying the sum of one dollar, or its 
equiv-alent, shall become a member of the Association, and entitled to all 
privileges. 

Resolved, 5th. That a committee be appointed to nominate officers 
for the Association. 

Resolved, 6th. Tliat the officers consist of a President, Vice-President, 
Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve Directors. 

A committee was appointed and the following officers nomi- 
nated and unanimously elected: 

President — -Mrs. M. E- Bonham. 

Vice-President — Mrs. J. A. Bland. 

Secretary — Mrs. R. H. Mims. 

Treasurer — Mrs. Joseph Abney. 

Dii-ectresses — Mrs. N. L. Griffin, Mrs. William P. Butler, 
Mrs. H. R. vSpann, Mrs. E. Bland, Mrs. Mary Miles, Mrs. 



234 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

John Maloy, Mrs. John Huiet, Mrs. Henry T. Wright, Mrs. 
lycvvis Jones, Mrs. A. G. Teague, and Miss CorneHa Jones. 
The meeting then adjourned to meet once a week. 

PRESENTATION OF A FLAG TO THE HOLCOMBE LEGION. 

Mrs. Pickens, whose maiden name this I^egion bears, has 
presented them with a beautiful flag and a beautiful letter 
accompanying it, as follows: 
Officers and Soldiers of the Holcombe Legion: 

I can find no words with which to thank your gallant 
Colonel for the compliment he has paid me, in giving to his 
noble command" the name I once bore; but I trust the presen- 
tation of this standard may in some small measure testify my 
deep appreciation of the honor conferred upon me. In seek- 
ing to render this ensign worthy of your valor and devotion, I 
have placed first among its devices the armorials of your be- 
loved State, the glorious palmetto and crescent, emblems con- 
secrated to noble daring and high resolve, for they waved in 
our harbor when Carolina stood alone in this momentous 
contest, and floated over that heroic battery which threw its 
steady and victorious fire into the arrogant "Star of the West." 
I remember with pride that your commander, Colonel Stevens, 
had charge of that battery, and thus early in the war estab- 
lished a claim to Carolina's grateful remembrance. While I 
give into your honorable keeping the spotless escutcheon of 
your State, I look with eager confidence toward that future, 
when your heroism shall achieve for it a new lustre and re- 
nown. 

The dates inscribed 1776 and i860 are eloquent with mean- 
ing. The first commemorates our disenthralment from a 
foreign foe, the second speaks to you of that glad hour when 
we threw off the tyranny of domestic wrong, and welcomed 
the new birth of a higher freedom. If I have reversed the 
Palmetto with the Lone Star of the ' 'Imperial State of Texas," 
if I have thus sought to associate on your battleflag the two 
devices which share the devotion of my own heart, you will 
not blame me; you will remember the bloody struggle, the 
Spartan endurance, the indomitable courage by which she won 
her right to honor and independence; and the chivalric, heroic 
blood of South Carolina which flowed at the Alamo will, to 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 235 

the last day, challenge an admiring tribute from every son of 
her soil. I feel assured that the noble motto inscribed on this 
banner, "It is for the brave to die, but not to surrender" — 
is but the expression of the spirit which animates the breast of 
every soldier in j-our midst. Patriotism ranks with us, as with 
the ancients, first among virtues, and life is only worth keep- 
ing that we may perform the duties belonging to it. 

"Death comes but once to all, 

Then how can man die better, 
Than facing fearful odds 

For the ashes of his fathers, 
And the temple of his gods." 

And now I cannot resist telling you how anxiously I will 
follow your every movement; what pride I will feel in your 
moments of victory and success; and I wall grieve if reverses 
befall you. I earnestly pray that God will keep each one of 
you in His charge, and that the fortune of war may give you 
all you require, an opportunity to show yourselves a legion of 
heroes. LUCY HOLCOMBE PICKENS. 



236 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXVI. 

HAMBURG. 

Hamburg and its founder have already been mentioned in 
these pages, but the following account, which is copied 
verbatim from the Atlanta Journal, and for the exact accuracy 
of which this writer is not responsible, but which he believes 
to be very nearly correct, gives some particulars of interest 
which ought to be included in a history of Edgefield: 

" 'The dead towns of Georgia' have been the subject of a 
work of great interest and unusual merit, but as far as is 
known, 'the dead towns of South Carolina' have not been 
touched upon. 

"Mr. William C. Sibley, President of the Sibley Mills of 
Augusta, and a citizen that the Electric City prizes as one of 
its most valued, was in Atlanta Thursday night. (This was 
in June or July, 1891.) He was in a reminiscent straitf, and 
told me some facts about the history of Hamburg, the desolate 
city now populated by from one hundred to one hundred and 
fifty lazy vagrant negroes, just across the river from Augusta. 

"He knew it when it was the centre of commerce for four 
States, when hundreds upon hundreds of wagons each day 
from Georgia, Upper and Lower South Carolina, North Caro- 
lina, and Tennessee would roll into its streets loaded down 
with articles of commerce. 

"Along in the early thirties Augusta had an old German 
citizen by the name of Schultz. The city was at that time a 
trading centre for hundreds of miles of the sourrounding 
country. Schultz was one of the wealthiest citizens. He 
erected and owned three brick buildings on the north side of 
Broad street, just below the monument, which are standing 
until this day. 

"They were known as the Bridge Bank buildings, because, 
presumably, was a bank located there which was run by old 
man Schultz and McKinney. Schultz also owned the bridge 
that spanned the Savannah and connected Georgia and South 
Carolina. 

"The bank failed, as it owed money to Augusta; through 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 237 

some lawsuit the city managed to get possession of the bridge. 
This angered Schultz, and in a fit of pique he vowed that he 
would kill Augusta's trade and build up Hamburg. He went 
before the South Carolina Legislature, and on the strength of 
his representations of the feasibility of establishing direct 
trade between Hamburg, S. C, and Hamburg, Germany, bor- 
rowed $50,000. 

"This was in the year '32, and in one night, where the 
night before there was a howling wilderness, Schultz had up 
the fronts of a row of houses. It was the terminus of the 
South Carolina railroad, the first railroad of a hundred miles in 
length that the world ever saw, and was on the side of the 
Savannah river where the channel was the deepest. 

"Hamburg grew to be the most important trading town in 
the interior of South Carolina, and its business continually in- 
creased till 1848. 'When I first went there,' said Mr, Sibley, 
'Hamburg received 70,000 cales of cotton, the remarkable part 
of which was that 60,000 of them were in on wagons.' 

" 'To show you what a town Hamburg was at that time,' 
Mr. Sibley continued, 'the city built a plank road from Ham- 
burg to Edgefield, a distance of twenty-six miles. Along 
about November and December the streets would be so 
crowded with the wagons of the country people from four States 
that frequently people would have to walk four or five blocks 
before finding a place to cross. 

" 'On the outskirts of the city the wagoners would strike 
their tents, and frequently there would be as many as five or 
six hundred of them in compact at a time. The road going 
and coming for a distance of five or six miles would be literally 
jammed up with wagons, rendering it almost impossible to 
make more than a mile an hour. 

" 'Old Schultz was a genius,' said Mr. Sibley, smilingly, 
'and, like a good man}' other men of profound brain, wouldn't 
pay his debts. He was the most plausible of talkers and the 
most industrious of workers. He had Hamburg laid out in 
beautiful streets and Schultz' s Hill was a park of great 
beauty. ' 

"A great many of these improvements were made with the 
$50,000 which Schultz borrowed from the South Carolina Leg- 
islature, and which, by the way, he never paid back. Schultz 



238 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

came very near owing everybody he came in contact with, and 
invariably failed to pay them. One day he had about twent}' 
Irishmen at work in front of his store and one of his creditors 
told him, 'Mr. Schultz, I don't see how you can afford to hire 
these men when you owe me and everybody else.' 'Well 
sir,' said the German, 'I sacrifice my private interests to the 
public good.' 

"There were tv»'0 causes for Hamburg's downfall. One of 
them was the building of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad 
and the other the cutting of the first Augusta canal. 

"It was the first intention of the railroad builders to make 
Hamburg one of the termini of the railroad, and the}' offered 
to do so if Hamburg would make a subscription of $50,000, 
but in those da3'S there was great prejudice against railroads, 
and the citizens of Hamburg were afraid that it would take 
away their wagon trade, so the road was built to Greenville, 
and fully one-half of Hamburg's trade was taken away. 

"Then Augusta got Hamburg's cotton that used to come 
from up the river, because coming down the canal took away 
the great danger of shooting the rapids. Hamburg gradually 
grew from bad to worse, and finally, about the time of the war, 
its sole population was composed of negroes. 

"Now it is nothing but almost a howling wilderness. Where 
once the busy merchant sold his wares a lazy negro skulks; 
where fine residences, that beatiful Southern women graced, 
once stood, now negro ramshackles, with dirt\' pickaninnies 
playing on the porch, are to be seen. The well-kept streets 
are a mass of weeds, and Schultz's beautiful park, under whose 
trees many beautiful tales of love have been told, is now the 
resort of negro pic-nickers. 

"The town has been through riots and fires, and no house 
that has burned up or blown down has ever been replaced. 

"Hamburg is surely an evidence of what narrow-minded, 
illiberal citizens can do. It now serves but one purpose. It 
is the battle ground for game cocks and bull dogs. 

J. C. S." 
Let the people of Edgefield congratulate themselves that 
Hamburg is no longer in their County. 

The following additional information in regard to Mr. 
Schultz was derived from another source: Mr. Schultz, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 239 

the founder of Hamburg, was a native of Hamburg 
in Germany. When about nineteen years of age he was taken 
prisoner b}' Bonaparte and released upon the prom'se of not 
bearing arms any more against the French, which he violated 
and was re- captured. Napoleon, not caring to put a mere bo}^ 
to death, gave him liberty to emigrate to America. He came 
to Augusta and first followed boating to Savannah. After 
Augusta took possession of his bridge Mr. Schultz then went 
before the L,egislature of South Carolina and promised, if they 
would help him, to build a town that would rival Augusta. 
The State must have failed to fulfill some of its promises, for 
after Schultz was ruined he was often seen in Columbia during 
the sessions of the Legislature with his long overcoat dangling 
around his heels and the mark of Cain upon his brow. After 
Augusta took possession of his bridge he built a toll gate on 
the Carolina side and collected his tolls from there. When 
the courts decided the case against him Mr. Schultz tried to com- 
mit suicide by firing a pistol in his mouth, but the bullet came 
out at his forehead, greatly disfiguring his face." 

Whefher the State failed to keep any of its promises to ]Mr. 
Schultz or not, is not known to this writer, most probably not; 
but he was involved in a long lawsuit about his bridge, in 
which he was loser and he sank the State's $50,000. Ham- 
burg was built as promised, and did for some years an immense 
business. 

We have already seen that, in the earl}' settlement of this 
country, some years before the founding and building of 
Augusta, on the site afterwards occupied by the town of Ham- 
burg, was an important trading station, at which, for many 
years, a large business was carried on with the Indians up the 
river all the way to the mountains and beyond. Fort Moore 
was erected at that place for the protection of the trade. The 
building of Augusta, which town flourished and grew rapidly, 
drew off the trade from the Carolina side, and made the station 
insignificant as a trading post. Three-fourths of a century 
passed and Hamburg came into being through the energy of 
Mr. Schultz; lived and flourished, and became the focus of a 
great trade for many years; but it finally decayed and died 
through the force of the influences already mentioned, the 
cutting of the Augusta canal and the building of the Green- 



240 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

ville and Columbia Railroad. Thus twice in the history of 
the country has Augusta been largely instrumental in divert- 
ing trade from the Carolina side and destroying the germ of a 
city on the opposite side of the Savannah River. 

Many years ago, going into Hamburg with wagons loaded 
with cotton, we camped a short distance back on the uplands 
on the Edgefield side, so that we could get into market as early 
as possible. The sun rose clear and was shining bright and 
clear in the uplands, but as we drove on we found the whole 
valley of the river covered with a dense fog, and on that fog 
was clearly an^ distinctly defined a white solar rainbow — no 
colors. I saw the same, or a similar phenomenon, once on the 
fog over the river as I walked down from Columbia to the 
depot to take the cars for Newberry. In both cases the bow 
was well defined and very distinct, white without colors, 
having the same appearance as a lunar rainbow. The white 
solar rainbow appears upon a dense fog; the lunar rainbow 
upon falling rain. While writing the above a perfect solar 
spectrum, with all the colors that an analysis of the sunlight 
gives, has formed itself upon the floor of the room. A broken 
piece of glass resting with one edge upon the window sill 
outside, the upper edge leaning against the window pane 
touches it in such a manner as to act like a prism forming a 
perfect spectrum upon the floor with all the colors beautiful 
and bright. (January 14th, 1892). 

To what has already been written of Hamburg must be 
added that by Act of the Legislature, passed December 17th, 
1813, Henry Schultz and L,evvis Cooper were authorized to 
build a toll bridge across the Savannah River so as to connect 
the two places, Augusta and Hamburg. The bridge was 
alread}^ in process of erection when the Act was passed. This 
bridge was re-chartered December i8th, 1830. 

Inspection and warehouse for tobacco authorized to be 
erected December 20th, 182 1, on the same day lands and slaves, 
and indeed all property in the town, by Act of the Legislature 
were declared exempt from taxation for five years. The town 
was incorporated December 19th, 1827. 

The Bank of the State was authorized to establish a branch 
at Hamburg December i8th, 1830, and in December 1S32 
the Solicitor was authorized to convey the State's interest 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 24I 

in Hamburg to Henry Schultz. The town was incor- 
porated a second time, December igth, 1835, and charter 
amended in 1837. The Bank of Hamburg chartered 
December 21, 1823, charter amended December 19th, 1835, 
and again December 2i£t, 1836. \/ 

There is a story or tradition connected with the history of 
Hamburg that, with pro^»riety, might be related here, as it 
was a source of great amusement when it was first told. 
Doubtless there are many persons now living in the County of 
Edgefield who never have heard the expression: "The 
Gyascutus has broke loose." This, like many other slang 
phrases, such as "That's what's the matter with Hannah," 
had a great run for awhile, but suddenly died and dropped out 
of circulation, and passed into that dead region of limbo, where 
all unrealities are sure to go at some time. 

The phrase had its being and birth as follows: Just after 
the close of the War with Mexico some volunteers from Vir- 
ginia or North Carolina, who were under General Taylor in 
the army of the Rio Grande, undertook to make their way 
home on foot from Texas or from New Orleans. In all that 
Western country there were few, in fact, I believe no railroads 
at that time. They found travelling on foot very pleasant, as 
the weather was good, and they were soldiers and used to foot 
wear. Wheti they reached Hamburg they found that they 
were short of funds, in fact, about out, with barely enough to 
carry them another day's journey. In this extremity they 
were compelled to resort to some very energetic measures to 
raise the wind. A caucus to consider ways and means was 
held, and they came to the conclusion that a tax to defray ex- 
penses must be levied upon the citizens of Hamburg and 
Augusta, and as many of the inhabitants of the adjoining 
country in Carolina and Georgia as they could reach. Ac- 
cordingly they spent a day in Hamburg making preparations. 
They hired a large hall, gave out that they would have on 
exhibition there for one night, and for one night only, a very 
large, strange, and furious animal, such an one as had never 
been heard of nor seen in that part of the world before. They 
had caught it, they said, somewhere in the wilderness of the 
Mississippi swamps, one night when it invaded their camp. 
It had devoured two of their number and was in the act of 



242 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

swallowing the third, a ver}^ large man, when the survivors 
succeeded in lassoing the monster and binding it so strongly 
that it could not move. They had it firmly fastened in a 
large car, or van, drawn by four of the strongest horses. The 
car would cross the Augusta bridge about 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon and drive into town in good season to have all ready 
for the show, which would open about 8 o'clock in the even- 
ing. Of course there w^as great curiosity to see this wonderful 
beast. The news spread like wild fire over town and country, 
and long before night the streets of Hamburg were packed and 
jammed. Such a crowd was never seen in that town before, 
never has been since, and very probably will never be seen 
there again. 

Sure enough, about 4 in the afternoon the car made its ap- 
pearance in Augusta in the street leading to the bridge, pre- 
ceded b}'' a single man on foot, making the air ring with the 
shrill notes of a fife, playing the tune, "See, the conquering 
hero comes." 

In due time the car drove to the hall and drove into a cloj^ed 
and covered shed in the rear; and the announcement was made 
that at eight precisely the front door Vv'ould be opened to the 
anxious crowd for admission to see this greatest of curiosities 
the world had ever produced. In the mean time two men at 
the door W'Ci'e kept busy selling tickets of admission to the 
.show. The price was one dollar each. 

The earth rolled on, the sun sank and set, and eight o'clock 
came. The door was opened and the crowd began to pour in. 
The hall was well lighted, but there were v^ery few seats. 
But this made no difference, as there were no ladies present — 
this strange, fierce animal not being considered altogether 
proper for ladies to see. Over the far end of the hall a cur- 
tain appeared to hang, on which was depicted a likeness of the 
most uncouth creature ever seen, or that any imagination ever 
conceived. This was .said to be a good likeness of the Gyas- 
cutus, which was the name of the monster .supposed to be hid- 
den in the rear. The hall was soon packed tight, but the 
large windows were open to the cool night air, so that there 
was no danger of suffocation. As the moment drew near for 
the curtain to rise, so that the man)' eyes of the crowd might 
see this greatest of the world's curiosities, suddenly a deep 



HISTORY OF EDGETIELD. 243,, 

growl was heard behind the curtain. This was succeeded b> 
an awful roar, followed by a succession of screaming shrieks 
and hisses, more terrifying than any the lions and tigers and 
all the beasts of the jungle ever made. To sa}^ that the crowd- 
was startled is saying nothing. Many began to move towards • 
the door, some towards the windovv-s, and not too soon, for' 
snddenl}' a mighty uproar and noise of breaking and crashing" 
timbers was heard, and the climax was reached when the show 
man, who was near the far end of the hall, cried out with a 
loud voice: "The Gyascutus is broke loose! The Gyascutusis 
broke loose!" You better believe the crowd dispersed speedily. 
In a short time, not only the hall, but the streets of Hamburg- 
were almost entirel}- deserted. Son:e never stopped running 
until they were safe in Augusta. Some thought they could 
clear the Savannah at a lea[3, tried it, and landed safe in the 
mud on the Carolina side. In a little while the tumult sub- 
sided, and the night that followed w^as the quietest ever known 
in that part of the country. 

In the morning an investigation was had; no damage was 
found done to the building, but in the rear the very ghost, 
and a dilapidated one, of a wagon or car was standing solitary 
and alone a broken wreck; the four fine horses had vanished 
and were very quietly standing in their stalls in x\ugusta and 
eating their oats; the Gj^ascutus had indeed broken loose and 
was never seen nor heard of any more, nor were those returned 
soldiers from the War with Mexico ever seen or found. The3' 
left with their pockets full of money, and were far away when 
the morning broke. Who were they? Perhaps some of Ham- 
burg's own .sons with some of the boys of Augusta on a 
lark. 

Ah, old men, contemporaries of this present writer, do you 
feel sometimes, as he does, that there is no longer any fun in 
the world? Or is the world what it was then, and has the 
spirit of fun only evaporated from us? Does the Gyascutus 
ever break loose now? 



S44 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXVII. 

FRANCIS HUGH WARDLAW 

Member of the Secession Convention and one of the signers 
-of the Ordinance of Secession. 

Francis H. Wardlaw, son of James Wardlaw and Hannah 
Clarke Wardlaw, was born at Abbeville Court House, S. C, 
December i6th, 1800; was baptized by Rev. Robert P. Wilson, 
of the Presbyterian Church; went to the common English 
schools of Abbeville, taught by Francis Walker, William Sad- 
ler, Flinn, Clar}^ Hooper, James Curr}', and Thomas Fulton. 
In 181 2 he went to Willington, in Abbeville District, and 
there attended for tvv'o years Dr. Waddell's famous Classical 
Academy. He spent the year 18 15 at home at Abbeville Court 
House, in studying arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and 
iiurveying, under Captain William Robertson, and in writing 
In the Clerk's office under his father, then Clerk of the Court 
for Abbeville District. He entered the South Carolina Col- 
lege April 13th, 18 16, and graduated with first honor of his 
'Class in December, 18 18. Read law in the office of A. Bowie, 
lisq., at Abbeville Court House, and was admitted to practice 
law at Charleston, January, 1822, and equity at Columbia, 
May, 1822. He settled at Edgefield near the end of Februar}', 
1822, and practiced law there in partnership with Whitfield 
Brooks until the fall of 1S25; with William Garrett from 1826 
.to 1S28; with D. E. Wardlaw from 1831 to 1841, and with 
William C. Morange from 1841 to 1846; was editor of a news- 
paper at Edgefield irom March, 1829, to the spring of 1832; 
^elected to the State Convention from Edgefield in 1832, and to 
.-the Hou.se of Representatives of South Carolina Eegislature in 
1834 and 1838; was partner of R. H. Spann's in 1S50; was 
"elected Chancellor Deceml^er 3rd, 1850, and Judge in the 
-Court of Appeals December 21st, 1859; delegate from Edge- 
-field in the conventions of I S52 and i860, being one of only 
.four or five persons who were members of all three conventions 
above mentioned; 1832, 1S52, and 18^0. 

He was married at "Airville" near Hamburg, in Edgefield 
District, Wednesday evenitig, April 22nd, 1830, to Ann 



HISTORY OF KDGKFIELD. 24K, 

Gresham Lamar, daughter of Thomas Gresham Lamar and 
Martha Leland Cary, by Rev. Henry Reid, Presbyterian min- 
ister from Augusta. By this union he had seven children, 
three of whom died j^oung. One son, Lieutenant T. Lamar 
Wardlaw, was killed at Fort Moultrie, July 17th, 1862, 
another son, Francis H. Wardlaw, died December 5th, 1887. 
at Edgefield where he was practicing law. One son and one 
daughter only are now living, Mrs. J. W. Hill, of Edgefield. 
and J. Lewis Wardlaw, of Fairfield County. Chancellor 
Wardlaw died at Columbia in the house of Major Theodore 
Stark, May 29th, 1S61, and was buried at Edgefield Court 
House, South Carolina. 

As a lawyer and judge of law I have heard this related of 
him: A decision of his was once quoted in a court at West- 
minister, the opposing counsel ridiculed the idea of resortino^ 
to South Carolina law as a precedent for England or English 
courts, whereupon the presiding Judge remarked that the de- 
cision in question was worthy of the highest respect and would, 
do honor to the courts of any country. 

JOHN E. BACON. 

The writer of this history is indebted to Frank Leslie's- 
illustrated newspaper and to Apple ton's Biography for the 
following notice of Honorable John E. Bacon. Mr. Bacon, 
recently minister from the United States to Uruguay and 
Paragua}^ was born at Edgefield, S. C. , and is now between, 
fifty-five and sixty years of age. (January, 1892) His family- 
have been identified with the State of his birth from its earliest 
history, and members of it have enjoyed many oSices of honor 
and trust. He was graduated with distinction at the South 
Carolina College in 1852, and was admitted to the Bar in 1854. 
He was sent to St. Petersburg as Secretary of Legation, and 
married there the youngest daughter of ex-Governor Pickens, 
then the Minister at that Court. He is an accomplished lin- 
guist, speaking French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. 

Air. Bacon entered the Confederate Army in 1861, at the 
commencement of the war and served throughout the struggle, 
reaching the rank of Major. After the war, finding him,self 
completely impoverished, he returned to the practice of his 
profession and was soon in the enjoyment of an unusuallv 



2^6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

flarge and lucrative business. In 1867 he was elected District 
Judge for the District of Edgefield, and presided regularly 
until deposed by the Federal Commander, and a "Military 
Judge" was put in his place. In 1872 he removed to Colum- 
bia, where he has ever since resided. In that year he was 
-elected President of the largest Democratic Club in the city, 
-and was re-elected four consecutive times. During this period 
■'he was also a member and Secretary of the State Democratic 
Executive Committee, and also a member of the County Ex- 
"ecutive Committee. 

In 187S Judge Bacon was sent to the Legislature for the 
purpose of reopening the South Carolina College. He was 
made Chairman of the Committee on Ed.ucation, and, by the 
aid of his able colleagues and other experienced members, the 
measure was put through, after a severe struggle, the bill 
passing the Senate by the vote only of the distinguished Presi- 
dent of that body. Judge Bacon regards his connection with 
.-the re-establishment of this CDlIe^e on a solid ba>is — .vhereby 
the young men of the State can gat a first class collegiate edu- 
-cation for about the third of the cost of aiite-bellum days — 
^w'ith greater pride ani satisflaction tlian any, indeed, all of the 
.acts of his life. 

In 1884 Judg;e Bacon v/as cL^cted a member of the State 
Convention for the no:nination of delegates to the National 
Democratic Convention at Chicago and of Pesidential electors, 
and was himself nominated an elector and elected . 

In 18S5 he was appointed United States Minister by Presi- 
dent Cleveland, at Montevideo, and in 1887 his salary was 
almost doubled in consideration of able and meritorious ser- 
vices. Upon the election of President Harrison he resigned 
ihis office and returned to Columbia, where he died in the early 
part of the year 1897. 

JOSEPH ABNEY. 

Joseph Abnej' was a native of Edgefield District, of the 
Saluda side, and was born December 2nd, 18 19, near the river 
not far above what is now Herbert's Ferry, then Lorick's. 
His father was John Abney, his mother Agatha Grifl&th. His 
mother was his father's second wife. His father's father was 
a Virginian, and among the first comers to that section of 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 247 

country. His mother's people were of Welsh descent. The 
education of Joseph Abney was as good as it was possible for 
him to get in the schools and academies of the country. His 
father died when he was only three or four years old, and his 
mother married again, a Mr. Cadaway Clark, a kind, good 
man, who treated his step-sons, Joseph and John, with great 
kindness. Joseph Abney was not a graduate of a college, but 
he was a fairly good classical scholar and mathematician. He 
was a hard and diligent student and a natural orator. His 
command of language was so great, and he so far surpassed 
the other bo3-s at school as a speaker, that he received the 
name of the orator, which he really deserved. After his edu- 
cation was completed as far as his limited means enabled him 
to carry it, he taught school to acquire money upon which to 
live while reading law, having chosen that profession as his 
business for life. He was quite successful as a teacher, 
winning the love and respect of his pupils. He read law at 
Abbeville in the office of Mr. Perrin, and had for a companion 
in his studies, a young man, who afterwards became eminent 
as a lawyer, as a soldier, and as a Judge — Samuel McGowan. 
He was admitted to practice law in Columbia in the year 1S42; 
the same year and place in which his friend and companion, 
Samuel McGowan, was admitted. Henry R. Spann, another 
Edgefield lawyer, was admitted the same year. 

After Mr. Abney was admitted he located at Edgefield Court 
House, the county seat of his native District. As a lawyer he 
was quite successful, building up a good and lucrative practice, 
which he held through life. When the war with Mexico came 
on, after the annexation of Texas, he volunteered, was elected 
Lieutenant, and served in the Palmetto Regiment as such until 
the close of the war. In the city of Mexico he was attacked 
by an enemy which was more fatal to our soldiers than the 
bullets of the Mexicans had ever been — the dysentery. He 
lay prostrated for many days, seemingly at the point of death, 
unconscious part of the time, and weak and helpless as a babe. 
He attributed his recovery to the faithful and careful nursing 
and attention of a good Catholic Priest, who sat by him for 
many hours at a time with his finger on the pulse of his wrist, 
administering ice. The good Priest graduated the quantity of 
ice given by the strength and rapidity of the pul.se beats. If 



248 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

he felt the pulse growing too weak he would leave off the ice 
for awhile, and then when the fever rose to too great a height 
he would give the ice again. In this way, and by careful 
nursing, the patient slowly won his way from the shadow of 
death back to life again. 

After the war Mr. Abney returned to his home in Edgefield, 
and resumed the practice of the law\ A few years before the 
war he married Miss Susan Miller, a beautiful and accom- 
plished woman, a lovely and amiable wife. In the late war 
between the States he was again a volunteer in the service of 
the Confederate States, in which he held the rank of Major. 

He died a few years after the war at his home at Edgefield, 
leaving a widow and two daughters surviving him. His 
widow, a few years after his death, married T. S. Arthur, a 
law'yer of Greenville, who afterwards settled at Lexington, 
where she has since died. 

Mr. Abney left no sons; there were two, Paul and Charles, 
born. His daughter Agatha, who married Rev. Mr. Woodson, 
is living at their home in Edgefield where her father died. 
His daughter Eleanor is not living, not living in this world, 
but is, we hope, with her father and mother in a better. 
Sophie died young. 

JOSEPH ABNEY— ADDITIONAL. 

He was Second Lieutenant in the Palmetto Regiment, com- 
manded by Colonel Pierce Butler, during the War with 
Mexico, and was severely wounded at the battle of Cheru- 
busco. Lieutenant Sumter was also wounded in the same bat- 
tle, and though they Were both wounded early in the engage- 
ment, yet they continued with their companies until the last 
shots were fired. 

In the War of Secession Joseph Abney was appointed Major 
in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, and was 
placed in command of the Second Battalion of South Carolina 
Sharpshooters of three companies, commanded by Captains 
ReO. Chisolm, Joseph Blythe Allston, and Henry Buist. Ap- 
pointed July, 1862. 

This battalion was united with the Charleston Battalion 
under Lieutenant Colonel P. C. Gaillard, and formed the 
Twenty-.seventh South Carolina Infantry. Major Abney was 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 249 

in all the battles around Petersburg, until he was wounded at 
Drury's Bluff, in the attack by Beauregard on Butler. The 
Twenty-seventh South Carolina Infantry was in Johnson 
Hagood's Brigade, in the division of Major General Hoke, of 
North Carolina, Longstreet's corps. 

He died at his home in Edgefield, at the Court House, in 
the year 4869. 

From the Edgefield Advertiser, February 12th, 1862, I 
glean the following list of officers of the Twenty-Second Regi- 
ment, South Carolina Volunteers: 

Colonel — Joseph Abney, of Edgefield. 

Lieutenant Colonel — S. D. Goodlet, Spartanburg. 

Major — T. C. Watkins, Anderson. 

Quarter Master — G, A. Taylor. 

Commissar}' — W. C. Hillhouse. 

Adjutant— P. B. Crocker. 

Surgeon — Not yet appointed. 

Assistant Surgeon — ^John B. Abney. 

Sergeant Major — George B. Lake. 

Assistant Quarter Master — J. Haltiwanger. 

Assistant Commissary — C. A. Barry. 

LIST OF COMPANIES. 

Company A — Captain, Cicero Adams, Edgefield. 

Company B — Captain, J. Wheeler, Spartanburg. 

Company C — Captain, \V. W. Hendrix, Spartanburg. 

Company D — Captain, O'Connell, Pickens. 

Company E — Captain, M. Hilton, Lancaster. 

Company F — Captain, J. M. Stewart, Pickens. 

Company G — Captain, James Orr, Anderson. 

Company PI — Captain, Jeff. Barton, Greenville. 

Company I— Captain, H. Millhouse, Lexington. 

Company K — Captain, M. S. Messer, Pickens. 

From the Edgefield Advertiser of June 4th, 1862: 

"We understand that Colonel Joseph Abney, late of the 
Twenty-second South Carolina Regiment, has received the 
appointment of Major of Sharpshooters from General Pember- 
ton. He goes to superintend the organization of the new 
corps. ' ' 



250 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

JOSEPH QUATTLEBAUM. 

It is impossible for the compiler of this history to give even 
the very briefest biographical sketch of all the worthy dead of 
Edgefield, who lived as private citizens. But now and then 
there are some so worthy or so remarkable for some charac- 
teristic, that it were a pity to pass them by without some 
record. Among such may be numbered Dr. Joseph Quattle- 
baum, of Ridge Spring, who has been justly mentioned as an 
old time Southern gentleman. He d-'ed on the 6th of January, 
1892, leaving a widow and seven children. One of his daugh- 
ters, Mrs. Edwards, a lovely, amiable, and accomplished lady, 
lived with her husband at Newberry for a few years, but 
returned to Ridge Spring, where they were livin?^ at the time 
of Dr. Quattlebaum's death. 

Dr. Quattlebaum was a native of Lexington County, but 
lived for a long time at Ridge Spring. He was a good man, 
genial and warmhearted, and a Christian. He was a loyal 
friend, steadfast, and true; chivalrous, hospitable, and gener- 
ous. He was emphatically good company, being gentle and 
genial, and of unfailing humor and good nature. This writer 
met him a few times in the latter part of his life, and was much 
drawn to him. 

WILLIAM WALKER. 

Few men reach, and few can hope to reach, the great age of 
Mr. William Walker, who died on Friday, the 15th of 
January, 1892, at the age of ninety years. He was a life-long 
and very earnest Methodist. H he could have written the 
recollections of his lifetime what a book he might have made. 
He could have given us distinct recollections for eighty years 
and a little more. He could have carried us back to the yesLV 
1810. He could have carried us through all the intervening 
3-ears and told us many items of interest of both public and 
private history. How much is included in the words, "He 
was a life-long and very earnest Methodist." Four score and 
ten, and the larger number of those years spent in the love 
and service of God. 

He died at his old home five miles north of Edgefield, and 
was buried near thereby on Saturday, the day following his 
death. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 25 1 



XXVIII. 

AFTER THE WAR-RECONSTRUCTION. 

In a book from which a brief quotation has ah^eady been 
made, entitled "The South Since the War," by Sidney An- 
drews, published in 1866, there is something said of the negro 
situation, which it may be well to quote before we enter upon 
the history of reconstruction. The writer says (he writes in 
Orangeburg): "The district above this, Edgefield, has also 
an undesirable name. At Columbia I heard two delegates 
speaking of affairs therein. They admitted that many negroes 
had been beaten to death during the summer, and said the 
planters were very slow in discovering what emancipation 
meant. Among the negroes whom I met at Orangeburg was 
one from Edgefield, who showed me a back not yet healed 
from a severe whipping given him in August." (This story 
may be true, for this writer knew a negro man in Edgefield, 
he is living yet, knew him from his birth, and he never was 
whipped in all his life while a slave, but who was ver)- severely 
beaten, for what offense, if any, is not known to the writer, 
some time during the year following the close of the war.) 

The same author, Mr. Sidney Ai'drews, thus writes of the 
militarj^ murder of Calvin Crozier at Newberry: "In Nev,'- 
berry District a case has recently occurred, in which the 
negroes took justice into their own hands. It appears that in 
a car which was standing on the track, were three or four 
women and two Rebel soldiers — one of them a Texan. A 
negro Sergeant had occasion to enter the car and was roughly 
ordered out by the Texan. He responded to the efTect that he 
knew his own business and should mind it. The two Rebel sol- 
diers thereupon seized him and undertook to thrust him out. 
He resi.sted and the Texan stabbed him, inflicting what was sup- 
posed to be a mortal wound. In an hour the two Rebels were 
caught by the negro soldiers of the regiment to which the 
Sergeant belonged, and in three hours more the Texan had 
been tried by drum-head court martial, shot and buried. The 
other Confederate escaped while they were taking him up for 
trial, and will not be retaken." 



252 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

A few more extracts must be made from this amusing book. 
Of education the writer says: "Education never was general 
in the State, and for the last two or three years it has been 
almost entirely neglected. The ignorance of the great body 
of the whites is a fact that will astonish anybody conversant 
with the middle classes of the North. Travel where you will, 
aiid that sure indication of modern civilization, the school 
house is not to be found. Outside half a dozen of the larger 
towns I have not seen a dozen in over six hundred miles of 
travel. A few persons express the hope that the lyCgislature 
will do something to set the college once more at work; but, 
generally speaking, the indifference of the masses to the whole 
subject of education is as startling as it is painful." 

Of the language used by the common people he sa}'s: "A 
South Carolinian never thinks or guesses, but 'lows or reckons. 
He hasn't got no use for a Yankee no how, and thinks him a 
no count fellow, or a low down trifling cuss of whom he would 
like to get shet, and he will feel obligated to you if you will 
help him out of his ill-fortunate situation; and dog-gone you, 
as you are not an ill-conditioned man, and as he refugeed 
from the Yankees he will take a little whiskey with you, 
dry so." 

Is it possible for a stranger, or for one unfriendly, to tell, or 
even to see the truth about others? Sympathy is a great 
quickener and enlightener of the intellect. The statement 
above quoted in regard to education is entirely false. The 
writer of this history was born and reared in the country, 
many miles from any city; at least a dozen miles from the 
nearest county seat of any county; twenty-six miles from the 
county seat of his own county; four miles from the post office, 
with only a weekly mail, which was carried by a rider on 
horse-back — and yet there -^-ere; schools every year open the 
year round for instruction in all the elementarj^ branches of an 
English education. In 1835 there was an academy or high 
school founded at Mount Enon, remote from any town, city, or 
village, in which a good classical education could be had, as 
the school had for its principal and head-master one who was 
a fine scholar, a graduate of Yale College and a native of the 
county in which the school was. Schools in the same neigh- 
borhood were kept open and in active operation during the 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. , 253 

whole war. There is no reason to believe that this part of the 
State ^Yas more highly favored than others. 

As to the military murder of the Taxan soldier at Newberry, 
for it was indeed and in truth a murder, it was not shown, nor 
could it be shown at the drum-head court martial that he had 
acted in an unjustifiable manner. The ladies in the car were 
under his protection and the negro Sergeant was an intruder, 
and being an intruder Crozier had certainly the right to put 
him out if he could, since he would not go without it. Calvin 
Crozier was a hero, and his death was one of the finest instances 
of self-sacrifice of which I have ever heard or read. It was 
some time after the difficulty was over before any arrest was 
made, and then the colored soldiers arrested the wrong man, a 
man who knew nothing of the difficulty and was not present 
when it occurred — an employee of the railroad. They were 
about to deal with him summarily when Calvin Crozier, the 
Texan, who had stabbed the negro, who was then at large, 
unrecognized and might have escaped entirely free, voluntarily 
made himself known as the man and surrendered himself to 
certain death to prevent another, and that other a stranger, 
from suffering for what he had done. To the honor of Prince 
Rivers, who was an officer at the time in that colored regi- 
mer.t, and who was afterwards somewhat well known at Edge- 
field, be it said that he wanted to save, and tried to save 
Crozier from the doom that awaited him. The people of New- 
berry have honored themselves in erecting a monument to the 
memory of Calvin Crozier. 

The author of "The South Since the War" seems to have 
been very fortunate in making acquaintance with the rude and 
unlettered wherever he went. He must have taken special 
pleasure in talking to all the "ornery cusses" he could find in 
the country or on the road. Let it be hoped that he found 
some improvement on his second visit, if he ever came again, 
and that he found better fare at some stopping places than he 
did at the hotel in Orangeburg in 1866. 

CONTEST BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR. 

In the third volume of the Statutes at Large, page 273, it is 
stated that there were no Acts of the Assembly for the year, 
172S, 1729, and 1730, but there is no cause nor reason given 



254 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

as an explanation of the fact. The Legislature was often in 
session during that time, and the explanation of the fact that 
no laws were passed, is that there was no harmony between 
the Governor and the Assembly, and it was found impossible 
for them to work in harness together. The Governor, through- 
out the contest, felt in duty bound to uphold the royal pre- 
rogative, which, as he thought, was continually encroached 
upon by the Assembly. During this period Arthur Middleton 
was Governor, and, as the historian of that period says, "the 
encroaching disposition of the recently successful people forced 
him to raise the barrier of the 'royal prerogative' so high that 
his head was hid behind it." Both the Governor and the 
Assembly were true to the principles each thought right, both 
were loyal. It was the beginning of the contest between 
Roj-alty and Republicanism, which finally culminated in the 
triumph of the latter. 

RECONSTRUCTION. 

We will now proceed to give as briefly and succinctly as pos- 
sible, at the same time with satisfactory fulness, a narrative of 
the troublous times of re-construction. The j^earsimmediateh^ 
following the close of the w^ar, were, in some respects, the 
gloomiest and most trying we have ever experienced. We 
hoped for awhile that the restoration of the Union and the 
return to a settled and well-established Order might not be so 
very difficult. These hopes were rudely dispelled and several 
years of misrule and partial anarch}^ under military despotism 
had to be gone through before the return of a settled peace. It 
is no pleasure to the historian to write of this time. In truth 
there are many things which the historian finds it necessar}' to 
record, which fill him with sadness, and which he would gladl}' 
pa.ss over in silence, but he cannot. History is but the record 
of the acts of men and women as they pass across the stage of 
life, and it is for them to see that they act their parts well and 
give the pen of the scribe something pleasant to record. We 
today are making hi.story. Since this writer began the History 
of Edgefield in January, 1S91, the whirligig of time has 
wrought many changes, and many men, the puppets of the 
hour, have cut many fantastic tricks before high heaven. 

At the close of the war A. G. Magrath was Governor. The 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 255 

State was conquered, and prostrate, and helpless at the feet of 
the conquerors. What next? was the question in the minds of 
all. The ancient institutions of the State \vere overthrown. 
The State had no status, because she had no existence. For 
the time being South Carolina was dead. Could she ever 
revive and live again? 

The years immediateh- following the war were not pleasant; 
and vve who had lived through it and remembered with what 
glorious anticipation of success and independence we entered 
into it, could not help but feel rather gloomy forebodings when 
we faced the future. 

For a moment, however, there v/as a gleam of light, and 
we were cheered; but that rift in the cloud soon closed, and the 
darkness was indeed visible, for we could see nothing else. In 
looking back and reviewing the ten years immediatel}' follow- 
ing the conclusion of the war, it is often a matter of wonder 
and surprise to the writer that the people were not more de- 
moralized and desperate than they were, though the}^ \vere 
bad enough, worse than we wish ever to see them again. 

Soon after the close of the war, Andrew Johnson, Vice- 
President, having become President b}^ the assassination of 
Mr. Lincoln, sent for Benjamin F. Perr}', of Greenville, an 
able man, a man who had the respect and confidence of all 
classes, and who had always been known and recognized as a 
consistent and loj^al Union man, to confer with him on the 
measures to be adopted for the restoration of South Carolina 
to her true position as one of the organic parts and members 
of the Union. Mr. Perry was urged by his friends and b)' the 
people to accept the invitation, as it was regarded as an earn- 
est of the President's good feeling towards the South and the 
State. He accordingl)^ went to Washington, where he was 
received and treated with the greatest respect and considera- 
tion. He received the appointment of Provisional Governor of 
the State, and immediately w'ent to work upon the basis agreed 
upon b}- the President, and other prominent Northern men, 
for the reconstruction of the State. Increased confidence in 
the future was immediately felt all ov-er the State by the ap- 
pointment of Mr. Perry. He issued an ably written procla- 
mation, which was received with enthusiasm by all, and a 
hope of rescue from what seemed absolute ruin was fondly 



256 HISTORY OF Ef)GEFTELD. 

cherished. Civil government was restored; a Constitutional 
Convention ot the people was called; the State was reorganized 
by the adoption of a Constitution, which, it was hoped, could 
not be offensive to any. Of that Convention the members 
from Edgefield were: Francis W. Pickens, George D. Till- 
man, and . 

On the 1 8th of October, 1865, a Governor of the State and 
members of the Legislature were elected. The members from 
Edgefield were: Luke Culbreath, Dr. John Landrum, Thomas 
Jones, M. L. Bonham, M. W. Gary, John E. Bacon, and 
M. C. Butler; G. D. Tillman, Senator. James L. Orr, one of 
the ablest and most eminent men in the State, was elected 
Governor. Senators and members of the House of Represen- 
tatives were elected to the Congress at Washington. F. W. 
Pickens elected United States Senator. 

So far all seemed well, as if we were about to drop down 
into the old grooves and move on as we did before the war. 
This was not to be for some years. Under the new Constitu- 
tion and reorganization of the State, the courts were also reor- 
ganized, and district courts were established for the trial of 
minor causes and offences. Of this court at Edgefield, John E. 
Bacon, Esq., was made Judge. 

Unfortunately, the Legislature, at the session of 1865, passed 
an act known as the Black Code, which discriminated between 
the whites and blacks as citizens, separating them in the 
courts; in fact, giving them different courts, and not recogniz- 
ing their citizenship in all respects as equal to that of the 
whites. 

Whether this action of the Legislature was used as a pre- 
text, or whether Congress and the Northern people would 
have acted as they did in any case, is mere matter of conjec- 
ture. Be this as it may, a change .soon came over the .spirit of 
their dream, and the political sk3' grew cloudy. The Senators 
and Representatives elected to Congress were not permitted to 
take their seats. Several amendments to the Constitution of 
the United States wete made. Military government was estab- 
lished in the State, with General Sickles as Commandant, after- 
wards General Canby, who, under the reconstruction acts of 
Congress, ordered an election of delegates to a Constitutional 
Convention to be held, and the Convention to meet on the 14th 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 257 

day of Januar}-, 1868. The delegates to this Convention from 
Edgefield were: Frank Arnim, R. B. Elliott, Davis Harris, 
P. R. Rivers, John Mobley, and John Bonuni. This Conven- 
tion was in session two months, and framed the Constitution 
to meet the requirements of the Constitution of tlie United 
States, and under that Con.stitution we now live. The State 
was, in all respects, reconstructed before it could be recognized 
as a member of the Federal Union. Under this new Constitu- 
tion an election was held for Governor and for a full set of 
State officers. Robert K. vScott, of Ohio, was elected Gover- 
nor. He was inaugurated Jul}- 9th, 1868. 

From the time of the inauguration of Governor Orr, in 1865, 
to the inauguration of Governor Scott, July 9th, 1868, the 
State presented the singular spectacle of a dual government, 
both civil and military. The military was on top, and the 
civil government all the way through, from Governor down to 
Magistrate, was only permitted the management and adminis- 
tration of those affairs with which the military authorities, did 
not care to be bothered. 

Governor Orr had certainly a very trying time. He was 
allowed to retain his position as Governor, not as constitu- 
tional and because elected by the people, but as provisional, 
until the completion of reconstruction and the election of a 
Governor. His position was surrounded with difficulties from 
which he was glad to be relieved by the election and inaugu- 
ration of a successor. 

With the inauguration and installation of Governor Scott, 
the military government of the State ceased, and the United 
States troops were withdrawn. The State was then declared 
to be reconstructed and restored to its place in the Union. 
Yes, South Carolina is in the Union again, but it is not the 
South Carolina that we knew before the war. No vestige of 
that old State remains. Whether the South Carolina of the 
future will be better than of the past, the future only can tell. 

The Senators and Representatives in Congress, elected 
under the reconstruction acts and under the new Constitution 
of the State, were permitted to take their seats, and since that 
time the State has not been without its due representation in 
Congress. 

Such is a brief general view of reconstruction, which covers 



258 HISTORY OF E6GEFIELD. 

a period of a little over three years. There were incidents 
occurring in Edgefield during that period, and after, especially 
until 1876, which ought to receive a more particqlar atten- 
tion. 

In closing this general view of reconstruction, it may be as 
well to ."-tate that General Scott was re elected Governor in 
1870, and thatl^his administration was a very unsettled and un- 
happy one. In 1871 the new County of Aiken was made and 
established by cutting off parts of the Counties of Barnwell, 
Edgefield, and Eexington. Edgefield supplied a considerable 
part of the territory, giving Hamburg and Beach Island. The 
county seat of the new county is at Aiken, a railroad town, 
which was very near the line between Barnwell and Edgefield, 
but in Barnwell. Many, many years ago this writer passed a 
night at Aiken, when the inclined plane was still there and 
the trains of cars were brought up and lowered by means of an 
immense cable and stationary engine, one train of cars passing 
down as another came up. I stood at the top of the incline 
and watched the ascent and descent. I think Mr. Marsh was 
the landlord of the hotel at which I stopped. One name over 
a store door attracted my particular attention, as I had never 
seen it before, nor have I ever seen it since. It was Eugene 
Durbec. What kind of business he was engaged in I did not 
know, only that it was a mercantile business of some kind. I 
have heard that Aiken was once pretty well burnt out by some 
persons trying to burn out a yellow-jacket's nest. 

The latter part of the year 1865 was a very trying time for 
the people of Edgefield , as well as for all other parts of the 
South. Negro troops were placed at the Court House, appar- 
ently to humiliate and mortify the old masters and rulers of 
the countrj-. The pretext was to keep the peace and ensure 
protection to the lately emancipated. White troops would not 
have been nearly so disagreeable. This writer, at that time, 
all through the year 1865, was living twenty-five miles from 
the Court House and never saw a negro soldier at any time, 
only heard of them and knew of the great disintegration of the 
old order of things that was taking place all around. During 
that and the following year it was as though the foundations 
of the great deep were broken up. The following anecdote 
will give the young reader cf this day a faint idea of the con- 



HISTORY OP KDGEFIELD. "^5^ 

<iitiou 'd! tile country at that time. For the propef protectio'fe 
of the late slaves it was required that all Contracts for labor 
were to be made in writing and before the proper officers duly 
authorized to make the same. On one occasion a spirited old 
lady got a gentleman to go with her to the Court House to get 
the officer to sign a contract between her and her former 
slaves. When they came to the office the negro guard sta- 
tioned at the door said the ladies could enter, but men coulA 
not. After the lady had gone in she was asked by the officers 
what she would have, when she angrily replied that she had ^ 
gentleman along to help attend to her business, but an old 
negro at the door would not allow him to come in. It is need- 
less to say that her business was promptly and with dispatch 
attended to. 

From semi-military rule in 1865-66-67, the State passed 
under Radical rule in 1868 when the military were withdrawn. 
A Radical Legislature was elected in 1868, the old-time Demo- 
crats having no showing whatever in Edgefield. Frank 
Arnim, a second-hand Prussian, (why second-hand is not so 
clear) of Hamburg, was elected to the State Senate, and four 
negroes and one white man were sent to the House. This 
white man also lived in Hamburg. R. B. Elliott and Prince 
Rivers, two of the colored members, had both served in the 
Union army. At the next election for Senator, Lawrence 
Cain, a native negro raised near Old Cambridge, was elected 
in Arnim's place. Is this Lawrence Cain the Daddy Cain, 
who was also a Methodist preacher? I heard him preach once, 
and also heard him make a political speech, and I must say 
that his political speaking was much better than his preaching. 
Going into politics will spoil any preacher, black or white. 

R. B. Elliott was afterwards elected to Congress, and 
Rivers, who was known as the "Black Prince," was appointed 
a Major-General in the State Militia. After 1876, he obtained 
employment in his old occupation of carriage driver, and died 
at Aiken in 1888. He was not by any means a bad specimen 
of humanity. 

In 1870 an effort was made by all conservative men and 
well-wishers of the State to make, if possible, some reform in 
the administration of affairs. To this end what is known as 
the Reform Movement was inaugurated and a Reform ticket 



26o HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

for all offices, State and County, was nominated, having on it 
conservative and influential colored men, who, it was hoped, 
would command influence sufficient to defeat the extreme 
Radical party. This writer living in Newberry voted the 
ticket nominated in that County, though he doubted ver}- 
much the expediencj^ of the movement. General M. C. Butler 
ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Reform ticket. The Re- 
formers were very badly beaten. About this time a taxpayer's 
•convention was held to memorialise Congress on the miserable 
condition of affairs in the State. Congress took no action, but 
this writer believes that good was done by the movement, as 
the attention of Congress, of the United States and of the 
world was thereby drawn to a state of affairs, which was a 
.shame and a disgrace to the whole country and the Radical 
party was checked in their career. George D. Tillman and 
General M. W. Gary both opposed this plan, on the ground 
that it would not only lower the dignity of the people, but 
that it would end in failure. It apparently ended in failure, 
but reall}^ it did not. 

In 1S74 Governor Moses, vyho, it will be remembered, was 
private Secretary of General Pickens v/hen the troubles be- 
gan, and was, during the war in 1863-64, .stationed at PMge- 
field as erirolling officer of the Confederate States, issued arms 
to a half dozen colored companies in the county — -volunteer 
militia companies; for what purpose it was hard to say; devil- 
ment I reckon. In August of this year„a riot occurred at Ridge 
Spring, and another later on, on the Savannah. Ned Ten- 
nant, a colored man, the instigator of the last mentioned 
trouble, was rev/arded with the office of County Commissioner. 
He then removed to the Court House where he soon afterwards 
died . 

In 1S75 there occurred in the county several violent and 
destructive storms and tornadoes, by which much damage was 
■done; several persons were killed, many were crippled; trees 
were uprooted and houses blown and torn to pieces. To go 
back, for a moment, a good many years. The 9th day of 
March, 1S55, thirty-seven years ago today lacking one week, 
was the fieriest day this writer ever saw. From about midda}' 
until night, when the Vv'hid lulled, the whole country, that is 
the wooded country, froin the mountains to the seaboard was 



HISTORY OF KDGKFIELD. , 261 

in a blaze. In that great fire many houses in Edgefield were 
reduced to ashes and much fencing was destroj^ed. 

In 1876, just one hundred years after the Declaration of 
Independence, affairs became so bad that the great crisis could 
no longer be deferred. The State had gone from bad to worse, 
and in that year Edgefield fairly and squarely took the bull by 
the horns, and with the help of the other parts of the State, he 
was throttled. Candidates were selected in June, and the riots 
in Hamburg filled the white people of the county with enthu- 
siasm. Hamburg had been infested so long and so terribly 
with thieves, and with harlots of the baser sort, that wagoners 
had ceased to camp within eight or ten miles of the place, for 
fear of being robbed. It was reported, but it is to be hoped that 
the report was not true, that negro thieves desecrated grave- 
yards in search of plunder. 

On the 4th of July a colored company, commanded by' 
Captain Dock Adams, refused to permit white men to pass 
through the town along the public road. A quarrel took 
place, and General M. C. Butler was sent for to organize and 
lead the whites. B. R. Tillman, afterwards Governor, was an 
active participant in this riot. Captain Adams, with his 
forces, retired to a large brick building owned by Mr. Sibley, 
and ordered his men to shoot their opponents from the win- 
dows. A young man named Merriwether was killed. A 
cannon Vv^as then loaded with grapeshot and discharged at the 
house. This drove the negroes into the cellar, where they 
surrendered. It is said that after night Allen T. Attaway, a 
mulatto giant, and five others, were taken into a cornfield and 
dealt with summarily. The Radicals say that the tongue of 
Attaway, which had been used so badly, was cut out. Of the 
truth of this statement this deponent saith not. 

In August of this year Chamberlain, who, by the way, was 
by far the best Radical Governor of them all, and not such a 
bad fellow, with a host of friends and backers, came to the 
court house on an electioneering tour. Here he was met by 
Gary, Butler, and the crowd, and vanquished, fairly or un- 
fairly, and driven from the field. The platform upon which 
he stood, and upon which he hoped to gain a great and signal 
victory, was not firmly enough joined and fastened together to 
hold the discordant materials that soug::t a place upon it; or it 



262 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

had not planks enough, or was not broad enough; something 
was the matter, and it went to pieces and would hold nobody, 
not even the Governor. The result of the contest was General 
Hampton was elected Governor, and in Edgefield the old 
Democratic party had a majority of several thousand. General 
Gary managed this election with great skill and success, and 
carried the election triumphantl}^ notwithstanding the pres- 
ence of United States soldiers at the court house the whole 
time. After this election and the expiration of his term of 
service in the Legislature (Senate), General Gary never took 
any further part in political life; but indeed he lived only a 
short time after his term expired. He died April 9th, 1881. 
General Gar3-'s influence in Edgefield w^as very great, and it 
is felt very strongly in all the political agitations and move- 
ments to this day. He was succeeded by James Calliso-i, a 
gentleman of Irish descent. 

W. J. Talbert, late Superintendent of the Penitentiary, 1893, 
now member of Congress, was the next State vSenator suc- 
ceeding Callison. In i8S3 W. J. Ready was elected State 
Senator, defeating \V. J. Talbert. Ready died January i6th, 
1891, and Dr. W. H. Timmerman succeeded him as State 
Senator. In 1896 Dr. W. H. Timmerman was elected State 
Treasurer, and Mr. J. M. Gaines was elected State senator. 



HISTORY OV EDGEFIELD. 263. 



XXIV. 

DR. JOHN LANDRUM. 

This good man, who died on Sunday morning, Jannar}- 31st, 
1S92, was born in the lower part of the county, in the old 
Wells and Vaucluse section, where the lyandrunis, in the earli- 
est days of Edgefield, were people of means, of intellectual 
ability, and of decided influence for good. Dr. Landrum lived 
to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His body had be- 
come feeble, but his intellect remained keen and bright. He 
was a man of eager and grasping mind, and had enjoyed every 
advantage of education. He was a graduate of the South 
Carolina College; and from the time of his graduation all 
through life he kept up an intimate acquaintance with the 
Greek and Latin writers. 

He died at the house of his daughter, Mrs. M. H. Minis, 
who had been only recently widowed; and was buried at 
Stevens' Creek Church, near his old home and by the side of 
children long gone before. His widow and two daughters 
survive him. His daughters both live at Edgefield, and are 
Mrs. M. H. Minis and Mrs. James A. Holland. 

COLONEL JAMES C. SMYLEY. 

Coloiiel James C. Smyley was born at Meeting Street, in 
Edgefield County, in 1820, and died in 1S72. His mother was 
a sister of Marmaduke Coates, of Newberry, S. C. He held 
no office during his life, except that of Colonel of Militia, and 
the ver}' important position of delegate to the Secession Con- 
vention. He, with all the other members of that body, signed 
the Ordinance of Secession. 

He was a planter by business and occupation, and enjoyed 
the respect and confidence of the people. His wife was Cath- 
erine Watson, of Ridge Spring, S. C. 

COLONEL JAMES P. CARROLL. 

Colonel Carroll was born in the city of Charleston, but from 
early boyhood his home was in Edgefield. After his gradua- 
tion from the South Carolina College he read law, and was 
admitted to practice in Columbia in 1830. He became a dis- 



264 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

tiuguished lawyer at Edgefield, though it is said that business 
came to him very slowly, and that he waited long for his first 
fee. But his labor and patience were crowned with success, 
and few lawj'ers at Edgefield ever stood higher in the profes- 
sion than he did. 

He represented. Edgefield in both branches of the Legisla- 
ture — sometimes in the Senate and sometimes in the House of 
Representatives. He was a member of the Convention of 
i860, and signed the Ordinance of Secession. He died in 
18S3, aged about 75 3'ears. 

He was one of the Chancellors, or Equity Judges, of the 
State, and filled that position with honor and dignity. He 
had a clear, logical, and discriminating mind — impartial and 
just in his temper aiid character. 

GENERAL R. G. M. DUNOVANT, 

Tliis gentleman was a native of Chester County. He grad- 
uated from the South Carolina College. After his graduation 
he read medicine and moved to Texas, in which State he 
practiced his profession until the breaking out of the War 
with Mexico, when he returned to Chester, raised a company 
for the war, and was elected Captain — was promoted to the 
rank of Lieutenant Colonel, whicli position he was holding 
when the war closed. He has represented Edgefield in the 
Legislature; was a member of the Convention of i860 from that 
county, and signed the Ordinance of Secession. 

During the War of Secession he held the rank of Colonel in 
the Confederate service. Since the war he has lived in retire- 
ment at his home in the town of Edgefield. 

Not long after the War with Mexico he married a sister of 
Hon. P. S. Brooks. He is still living (February, 1892,) and 
is about seventy years of age. Born May i8th, 1821. 
ANDREW J. HAMMOND, 

One of the signers of the Ordinance of Secession, was a 
worthy descendant of Colonel Samuel Hammond, of the Revo- 
lution, one of the bravest and truest men of that day. Andrew 
Hammond was a planter, and never, I believe, aspired to any 
political office, nor sought any political honor; but, enjoying 
the confidence of the people who knew him, (his home was not 
far from Hamburg, on the Savannah side of the county,) li^ 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 265 

was elected a member of the Convention of 1S60. At one 
time he represented Edgefield in the Legislature. 

During the War between the States he held the rank of 
Major in the Confederate service. He married Elizabeth But- 
ler, who survives him. 

COLONEL JAMES TOMKINS. 

This gentleman was a planter on the Savannah side of the 
Di.strict, in the neighborhood of Modoc, in that part of Edge- 
field known as the Dark Corner. He was born June 28th, 
1793, and died May 9th, 1S64. He was happil}- married on 
the 3rd of February, 1819, to Mrs. Jennings, widow of Wil- 
liam Jennings. The maiden name of Mrs. Jennings Tomkins 
was Huldah Hill, born December 28th, 1796, and died July 
4th, 1868. 

Colonel Tomkins, though not a ver}- ambitious man, yet 
was one of considerable influence and ability. He had the 
honor of being elected to the Legislature; and in that supreme 
hour, when that last desperate struggle was made to place 
upon an impregnable basis our old and cherished doctrine of 
State Rights, as one of the Representative men of Edgefield, 
he was called to meet with others from different parts of the 
State in that heroic Convention which has become forever 
historic, to consult together and to see, in that dark hour, that 
the State should receive no detriment. He and they did their 
duty, or what they conceived to be such. It is not possible 
for an)- man to do more. 

PRESTON S. BROOKS. 

P. S. Brooks, son of Colonel Whitfield Brooks, and grand- 
son of Colonel Z. S. Brooks, of Big Creek, celebrated for his 
hravery and daring as a Whig in the Revolution, was born at 
Edgefield Court House, August 6th, 18 19, and died in Wash- 
ington city while a member of Congress in 1856, only a few 
months over thirty-seven years of age. After the close of the 
Mexican vrar, through which he served as Captain of a com- 
pany raised at Edgefield in the Palmetto Regiment, he was 
elected to the Legislature, where he served one term, and was 
then elected as Representative to Congress. He was a lawyer 
by profession, but practiced only a little while. He was a 
farmer and made his home in the country in the upper part of 



266 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

the District, not far from Ninety-Six, near which place his 
mother lived. 

He was educated at Mount Enon, WilHngton, and the South 
Carolina College. This writer knew him well at Mount Enon 
and all through his public life. He was always a conspicuous 
figure. He died young. Had he lived it is impossible to saj- 
what he would have been. 

It is hoped that this writer will be pardoned for making 
mention here that at Mount Ennon he formed a life-long 
acquaintance and friendship with James C. Brooks, a brother, 
younger by a few years than Preston, and not far from the 
same age of this writer. 

WILLIAM GREGG. 

Mr. Gregg was born 2nd of Februarj', 1800, in Monangahela . 
Count}', West Virginia. He established himself as a merchant 
in Columbia, S. C, about the year 1827, and was married to 
Marina Jones, daughter of Colonel Matliias Jones, of Edge- 
field. In 1838 he removed to Charleston and resumed his 
former business with the Hay den brothers, who were jewelers. 
Gregg, Hayden & Co. were known throughout the South as 
extensive importing merchants. After hard work he obtained 
in 1845 a charter for the Graniteville Factory, with a capital 
of $300,000. His time was almost entirely devoted to the 
interests of the factory. He built churches, established 
schools, and endeavored, in every way, to elevate the em- 
ployees of the factory in morals, intelligence, and in the true 
dignity of life. 

He was a member of the Convention of i860, and, with the 
other members of that Convention, signed the Ordinance of 
Secession. He died September 12th, 1867, and was buried in 
Magnolia Cemetery near Charleston, S. C. Plis was certainly 
a very honorable and useful life. He who gives employment 
to others and deals justly by them, and tries to make them 
self-re.specting men and women does not live in vain. 

COLONEL JAMES B. GRIFFIN. 

This gentleman, who died at Fort Worth, Texas, on the 25th 
day of June, 1881, was the son of Mr. James Griffin, who lived 
about three miles from the village of Edgefield. Inheriting a 
large estate from his father, who was quite wealth}^, and 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 267 

having no political ambition he was quietl}- pursuing his 
avocation of planter when our sectional strife culminated in 
secession and war. For some years he had been holding a 
commission in the militia and was Brigadier General of cavalry 
when the State seceded. When Colonel Hampton received 
permission from the Confederate government to organize a 
legion, including in it four companies of cavalry, Colonel 
Griffin was .selected to command that part of the legion with 
the rank of Major. In June 1861 the Hampton Legion moved 
to Virginia and the cavalry was sent to the camp of instruction 
at Hanover. 

On the 19th of July tlie infantry of the legion was ordered 
to Manassas and was engaged in the battle of Bull Run. In 
that battle Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was killed and the 
legion lost an able officer. After the death of Colonel Johnson 
Major Griffin was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and trans- 
ferred to the infantry. The cavalry had taken no part in the 
battle of Bull Run, and it made the infantr}' feel a little sore 
that a cavalry officer, who had had no part in the fight, should 
be put in connnand of them in place of their Lieutenant Colo- 
nel, who had been killed in battle. 

However, the time came after awhile in which Colonel 
Griffin showed that he was worthy of the position which he 
held. In the march to Yorktown, in the retreat from York- 
town, in the skirmisli at West Point, in the battle of Seven 
Pines, in which the legion was hotly engaged, he showed 
what stuff he was made of, and his coolness and bravery won 
the hearty admiration of the whole command. He came out 
of that battle with a popularity as great, it may be, as that of 
any of the officers of the legion. But it was too late to make 
up to him what he had already lost. 

On there-organization of the army in 1862, un;'er the con- 
script Act, Colonel Griffin was not elected. His career in 
Virginia closed and he returned home. On his return to the 
State he was very soon assigned to duty in the Regiment of 
State Troops, commanded by Colonel Thomas G. Bacon, with 
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In this service he continued 
until the close of the w^ar when his regiment was discharged 
at Spartanburg and he returned home. 

After the war he removed to Texas, where he was doing 



268 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

fairly well in the effort to repair his shattered fortunes, when 
he was cut off by death. 

Colonel Griffin had one sister, who first married Diomed 
Hollingsworth, and after his death she became the wife of Dr. 
William H. Harrington, of Newberry. They, too, have passed 
over the line. 

GENERAL MARTIN W. GARY 

Was a son of Dr. Thomas R. Gary, of Cokesbury, Abbeville 
County, S. C. His grand-father. Captain Jesse Gary, lived 
and died in Newberry County. Captain Jesse Gary was 
one of eight sons of Thomas Gary and his wife, Rebecca Jones. 
General Gary's mother was Mary Ann Porter, a descendant of 
a brother of John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of 
Independence, and who was for many years President of 
Princeton College, New Jersey. 

Judge Ernest Gary is a sou of Dr. F. F, Gary, of Abbeville, 
a brother of General Gary, and John Gary Evans' mother, 
who married General N. G. Evans, was a sister of General 
Gary. 

COLONEL W. C. MORAGNE. 

The following biographical sketch of Colonel W. C. Moragne 
has been very kindly written for me by Colonel H. W. Ad- 
dison, his friend and partner in law: 

"Edgefield, S. C, February 6th, 1893. 

Mr. John Chapman, 

Dear Sir: You ask me to give you a brief sketch of the 
life of the late Colonel William C. Moragne of this place. 

"Of his early hfe, I personally, know nothing. His an- 
cestors were French Huguenots, and were banished under the 
Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV, King of France, and settled in 
Abbeville County, near- Bordeaux, on the Savannah River. 
There, and I think, in Charleston, he delivered orations upon 
the Huguenots and their descendants, with their trials, suffer- 
ings and heroism. 

"He finished his collegiate education at Gottiugen, Ger- 
many, and while there seemed to have thoroughly imbibed a 
taste for German and French literature: to have a great admi- 
ration for Schiller, Humboldt, and Goethe — Voltaire, Moliere, 
and others. 



HISTORY OF, EDGEFIELD. 269 

"Moragiie and a brother, John, enhsted for the war against 
Mexico. The latter fell, gallantly fighting at the battle of 
Chapultepec, or at the Ccipital Cit3\ I do not know the date 
of Colonel Moragne's promotion to Captainc}' in the war; that 
he bore himself with great courage was well known; he suf- 
fered much and long from sickness before his return home. 

"I became intimately connected with him on my return from 
the University of Virginia, about 1855, when I began reading 
law under him; and, in 1856, I formed a partnership with him, 
which continued most pleasantly and profitably till the break- 
ing out of our Civil War in 1861. During this relationship I 
met him almost daily, and was in immediate personal contact 
with him. He was of fine form, well proportioned, about six 
feet high, and with an aquiline nose, brownish hair. 

"His manner was by no means familiar, but rather the con- 
trary to those not familiar with him; yet his extremely polite, 
agreeable, and interesting conversation grew upon acquaint 
ance and ended b}' the firmest and most durable friendship. 

"He did not believe in acquiring professional business by 
personal popularity, nor maintained thereby, but by true ability 
and merit— these the result only of a good and liberal educa- 
tion, followed up by hard and laborious application to the 
profession. While he admitted that the law was a jealous 
mistress, he thought she fully admitted the devotees of all 
liberal arts to her shrine; and that no person should attempt 
the law without j'ears of laborious application to stud)', with a 
general information in history and literature. He had a con- 
tempt for the quillets of the law and a disgust for its chicanery. 
He would under no circmnstances resort to improper means to 
gain a case. At the time I began the law with him he was 
one of the rising members of the Bar, studious and painstak- 
ing, ambitious and in the bloom of manhood. At the begin- 
ning of the war he had worked himself up to the very foremost 
of the front rank of his profession here, as will be seen by the 
records and the decisions of our Supreme Court. 

"He was at all times genial, pleasant, instructive, though 
never obtrusive, ever liberal, and at all times the highest type 
of an educated gentleman. Politically he was a strict con- 
structionist of the Constitution — wrote many articles for the 
Charleston Mercury and pamphlets on national issues. And, 



270 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

thougla they differed widely in politics, yet he was a warm 
admirer of the political antipodes," Calhoun and Petigrii. 

"He married about 185- Miss Emma Butler, daughter of 
James M. Butler, a beautiful and eloquent lady, to whom he 
was a loving and devoted husband. She lived but a few 
years, leaving a son, a pledge of their mutual love, who 
resides in Florida, near his distinguish^^d uncle. Dr. Moragne. 

' 'Colonel Moragne at the beginning of the late war was aide to 
General M. L. Bonham at the battle of Bull Run. Soon after 
this he returned home and organized the Nineteenth South 
Carolina Regiment, of which he became the Colonel. Soon 
after this his health failed him and he returned to his beautiful 
home at Edgefield, where he died loved by many, and held in 
the highest respect by all for his pure life, a beautiful example 
to all young men. ' ' 

The following additional particulars were communicated by 
H. A. Eee, Esq., of Abbeville, in a letter to Colonel H. W. 
Addison: 

"I regret that I am able to add so few facts to what you 
alread}^ have in regard to the late Wm. C. Morange, Esq. He 
was admitted to the Bar in 1844, two years before I came to 
Abbeville, and as he established himself at Edgefield, attend- 
ing only to an occasional case here, I saw but little of him. 

"His brother, John B. Moragne, who came to the Bar 
about the same time, practiced here until he went to Mexico 
in Captain Marshall's Company as First Lieutenant, and after 
attracting the notice of General Scott as 'the gallant West 
Pointer of the Palmetto Regiment,' was killed in the storming 
of the city. 

"W. C. Moragne, Esq., was of French ancestry, and his 
father and mother were descendants of those French refugees, 
who, under the lead of the Rev. Pierre Gilbert, settled at 
Bordeaux, Abbeville County, in 1765, on the concluding of 
the Treaty of Paris. They were a distinct offshoot from those 
Huguenots who fled from France upon the revocation 
of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV, and who settled, many of 
them, in Charleston and vicinity, and who have done so much 
to illustrate the past history of the State. 

"His brothers were John B. , Isaac, and Nathaniel; and hi& 
sisters Mrs. Davis, of Abbeville, the author of an interesting 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 27 1 

Revolutionary story; Mrs, Fleming, of Augusta, and Miss 
Louisa, who died unmarried. I knew them all, and visited at 
the family homestead and can testify to the cultivation and 
refinement of the home circle. Thej^^ were a talented famil}', 
and, as in many other instances, derived their best qualities of 
mind and heart from the mother. 

"He graduated at the South CaroViua College wath honors, 
and then went to Europe, where he spent a 3-ear or so, and 
settled at Edgefield for the practice of law. 

"In 1852 he delivered the address to the students of the 
Clear Spring Acadeni}'. His subject, I think, was 'Public 
Speaking.' In 1854 he delivered an address before the Chris- 
tian Association of Abbeville on the 'Statesman,' and in 1855 
he made the Centennial Address to the French of Bordeaux, 
copies of which exist in pamphlet form. He doubtless deliv- 
ered other addresses. 

"In 1 86 1 he was volunteer aide to General Bonliam, at the 
First Manassas. In 1862 he was elected Colonel of the Nine- 
teenth South Carolina Regiment, but on account of ill health 
was forced to resign. He w-as a close student, a well read 
lawyer, and an accomplished scholar. He was a good French 
and German scholar, and had devoted much attention to the 
Belles Lettres. He was a forcible and pleasing speaker. He 
was a man of the highest character, and was respected by all 
who knew him for his sterling integrity a:id many noble traits 
of mind and heart." 



272 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXV. 

THE BLOCKER FAMILY. 

The Blocker family, which is one of the oldest in Edgefield 
County, is of Prussian origin. The name was originally 
Blucher. Michael Blocker was the first of the family who 
come from Prussia; and, after living here a few 3'ears, he sent 
his only son, John, back to the fatherland for others of his 
countrymen. John on his return to this country brought over 
with him a number of families and planted quite a large colony 
on lands which had been granted to him by the King. 

John Blocker was a man of learning, and being made a 
Magistrate, used his position for the good of his neighbors. 
Being himself a man of peace, he became a peacemaker, and 
sought to allay strife whenever it was possible to do so. He 
was much beloved, and was called upon at all times for 
advice from these honest, respectable, good people which made 
the colon)'- prosperous and happy — some of them filling ver}' 
important positions in the county. 

The children of John Blocker were seven sons and one 
daughter. They were high-toned, enterprising men, marrying 
ladies of culture. Most of their children received their educa- 
tion at the once celebrated Blocker Academy. 

James, the eldest son of John Blocker, was the first man 
that entered into the mercantile business in the town or village 
of Edgefield. He married Miss Isabel Morrison, of Charles- 
ton. She was a highly accomplished and educated lady, and 
by her beautiful Christian life made her home a resort of the 
refined and intellectual of that day. 

Mr. John Blocker, another son, married Miss Mary Johnston 
and built the stately home at Cedar Grove, now, 1893, owned 
by Colonel Robert Hughes. He afterwards moved West, ac- 
companied by Colonel Abner Blocker, who married Miss 
Amelia Clifton, and at her death married Sarah Kennedy. 
General Jesse Blocker and Michael Blocker married sisters, 
the Misses Malone. Major Bartley Blocker, the .sixth son, 
married a sister of Colonel Whitfield Brooks. David, the 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 273 

Other one of the seven sons, seems not to have married, as I 
find no mention made of it. 

Bartley, David, James, and Jesse are interred in the 
Blocker Cemetery with the preceding generation of the family. 

The Blocker settlement, as it was called in its palmj^ days, 
will long be remembered for the kindness and generosity of its 
hosts and its pleasurable enjoyments, for there reigned peace, 
and plenty. 

The only daughter, sister to the seven brothers just men- 
tioned, married Dr. Bejamin Wiim. They, too, moved West. 
The sister, as well as the brothers vv'ho went West, prospered. 
They have numerous descendants, some of whom fill p: emi- 
nent positions. 

Young John Blocker, grand-son of Bartley, is the only one 
of the name now living in Edgefield County. He is Captain 
of the Edgefield Rifles. He is a decendant of the celebrated 
Emily Geiger, General Greene's Courier to General Sumter, 
and the Heroine of Newberry in the old Revolutionary War. 

Emily Geiger has other descendants now, 1893, living in 
Edgefield County. After the war she married a planter 
named Threewits — moved down the country and lived and 
died at Granby. Miss Elizabeth Threwitts, a daughter of, or a 
grand-daughter of Emily Geiger, married John Nicholson, 
brother to Benjamin. Her son Benjamin Nicholson was Clerk 
of the Court at the time of his death. Her sons, Albert, John, 
and Joseph are now, February, 1893, living. Joseph is Probate 
Judge. One daughter, Mrs. Emma Blocker, is also living. 
One daughter, who married Dr. Allen is no longer living. 
Miss Sophie Nicholson should be mentioned, also as a descend- 
ant of Emily Gieger, and there may be others. 
■ From the Advertiser, July 31st, 1873, Biographical — Copied 
by John R. Abney, Esq. : 

DEATH OF AN AGED AND REMARKABLE LADY. 

On Sunday last, there expired, at her ancient home on 
Turkey Creek, in our District, a woman whose birth, gifts, 
and character caused her to stand out always prominently 
from the mass. This was Mrs. Isabella M. Blocker, relict of 
James Blocker, Esq., deceased many years since. Mrs. 
Blocker was the only child of James and Anna Berwick Morri- 



274 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

SDn, native Scotch people, of high standing and great culture, 
who lived and died, many years ago, in Charleston. She was 
also a grand niece of James Beattie, the famous Scotch poet. 
Born, educated, and married in Charleston, this lady had 
every advantage of the day in which she grew up. She was 
an accomplished pianiste, a fine French scholar, and her home 
was tastefully adorned with the fruits of her own pencil and 
brush. And with all this and through all good and evil and 
through long years of pain and suffering, in fact, through 
every day and hour of her life she was the pure, humble, 
earnest child of God. 

Mrs. Blocker would have completed her 8oth year on the 
31st instant. She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Felix I^ake, 
Sr., Mrs. John Lake, and Mrs. Dr. Abney, and numerous grand 
and great-grandchildren. Her remains were interred on Mon- 
day last in the old Blocker burying ground, two miles from 
her home. 

Edgefield Advertiser, June 8th, 1864, copied by John R. 
Abney, Esq.: 

WOUNDED OFFICERS. 

Major Joseph Abney, of the Twenty-Seventh South Carolina 
Volunteers, w^ounded in the fight at Drewry's Bluff on the 
i6th ult., has arrived at his home in our town. We have 
been to see this gallant soldier, who is unable to be out, and 
find him with not only a considerable "spot of tragedy" on 
his right side, but suffering in general health, and looking 
worn and weary. His wound, which though not dangerous, is 
very severe, appears to be doing well, however, and we earn- 
estly hope the comforts and endearments of home may soon 
restore him to his usual vigor and usefulness. He pays the 
highest meed of praise to the gallantry and military capacity 
to General D. H. Hill, who, he seems to think, has been the 
real leader in the late successful militarj' operations in Ches- 
terfield County. 

Edgefield Advertiser, August ist, 1866, copied b}- John R, 
Abney, Esq,: 



HISTORY OF KDG^FIEI.D. 275 

JOHN B. ABNEY 

Departed this life, at the residence of his parents, in the 
village of Edgefield, on the 30th of June, 1866, and in the 21st 
year of his age, John Ba}* Abney, the last son of Dr. M. W^ 
and Caroline Seabrook Abncy. 

The deceased entered the service of the Confederate States 
early in the war, first, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel 
Abney, and then in the Cavalry Regiment commanded by 
Colonel Aiken, and was discharged from each, on the Sur- 
geon's certificate of disability. As soon, however, as his 
health was a little restored, true to the spirit and traditions of 
his race, he hastened to rejoin the army, in the Battalion of 
Sharp Shooters, commanded by his uncle. Major Joseph Abney, 
to which also was attached his brother-in-law, the lamented 
Pickens Butler Watts. He served in this corps, as Hospital 
Steward, until it was amalgamated with the Charleston Battal- 
ion, and the two were constituted the Tueutj'-Seventh South 
Carolina Infantry. Being then appointed Sergeant of his 
Company, he soon participated in the action of Walthall Junc- 
tion, which was fought in May 1864. At one period of the 
battle, being much exposed, his company faltered when or- 
dered to advance, and he. the youngest of its members, moved 
forward to the onset, and by his noble example re-established 
the courage and confidence of his comrades. For this brilliant 
conduct on his first field, he was reconmiended for promotion, 
whilst his brother-in-law Watts was alike commended for 
equally conspicious behavior. In all the first actions around 
Petersburg, he bore a manly part, though suffering all the 
while, from disease, which had even then fastened itself upon 
his system. On the terrible 24th of June, when Hagood's 
glorious Brigade displayed so much heroism, and shed so 
much blood, in carrying, as skirmishers, the rifle pits of the 
enemy, Sergeants Abney and Watts, in the absence of com- 
manding officers, were each appointed by General Hagood, 
lyieutenants, pro tempore, in compliment to their skill and 
gallantry, and assigned to the command of companies. Ser- 
geant Watts, in an almost hand to hand conflict with the foe, 
fell like a hero on their bristling ramparts. Sergeant Abney, 
more fortunate for the time, carried with his company, and 
the company on his right or left, which had lost its com- 



276 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

mander, the extreme right of the enemy's lines resting on the 
Appomattox, and after holding it for some time, actually bore 
off twenty-five or thirty prisoners, in triumph. The demeanor 
of our troops, on this part of the line, elicited from General 
Lee, who was a beholder from the other side of the river, the 
warmest encomiums. But in the next disastrous engagement 
of General Hagood's, on the Weldon Road, John Abney, along 
with many others, was captured,' and carried a prisoner to 
Point Lookout, the disease of the kidneys, under which he 
had been suffering for years, became aggravated by privation 
and exposure and on his release, he returned home, but to 
linger and to die. 

But in his death, he has left us the same example of heroic 
endurance, of Christian fortitude, and Christian hope, that 
illustrated the higher portion of his youthful existence. Amid 
his long protracted sufferings, he never repined — never com- 
plained at the dispensations of Providence. His whole life 
was marked by filial devotion, and^was free from guile, and as 
he had lived without reproach, he died without fear. 

This family has been truly afflicted by the scourge of war. 
Their oldest son, Joseph Abney, who was a pattern of every 
virtue, after passing through all the earlier battles and cam- 
paigns, with little injury to his person, and after winning a 
name for courage and intrepidity, that would have done honor 
to the proudest soldier in the army of Virginia, perished, in 
the front ranks of his company, on the bloody field of Sharps- 
burg. Then the chivalrous high-souled Watts followed in his 
track of glory; and John B. Abney, the last, the only son, 
and because the last, the best beloved, is now summoned to 
heaven to join his immortal brothers, "Where the wicked 
cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." J. A. 

Edgefield Advertiser, October 21st, 1846, copied by John R. 
Abney, Esq. : 

MARK MADISON ABNEY. 

( Communicated. ) 
Mark Madison Abney is numbered with the dead. His pure 

and meek spirit has ascended to mingle with ''the spirits of 

j ust men made perfect. ' ' 

This excellent man and good minister of Jesus was born on 



HISTORY OF KDGEFrEI,D. 277 

the 8th December, 1808, and died on the 2gth September, in 
the present year, 1846. From his youth he was remarkable for 
his orderly, moral deportment; and at an early period put on 
Christ in baptism. In the prosecution of his studies for the 
ministry, he availed himself of the advantages of the Furman 
Theological Institution, and soon took a high rank in the 
ministry of the Word. Endowed with a strong and vigorous 
mind , he applied himself with patient and persevering atten- 
tion to the study of the Bible. In this course, which he 
strictly pursued, he was enabled to enrich his sermons v/ith an 
abundant and judicious store of the Bible truth. Not satisfied 
with the mere surface of things, he penetrated into the depths 
of heavenl}' wisdom, and drew thence that profound knowledge 
of its principles and their just application, with which he de- 
lighted, improved, and instructed his hearers. Deeply im- 
pressed with the solemn responsibilities of the ministerial 
office, he performed its duties most faithfully. He daubed his 
people with no untempered mortar, but cried aloud, and spared 
not, preaching Jesus, "warning every man and teaching every 
man, that he might present every man perfect in Christ 
Jesus." He was eminently "set for the defence of the 
Gospel;" for stopping the mouths of gainsayers, and for put- 
ting to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The favorite 
subject of his ministrations was the inculcation of practical 
godliness on Evangelical principles. He delighted, therefore, 
to enlarge upon the duty and privilege of giving the heart to 
God. The desolations of Zion deeply affected him. He 
mourned and prayed over the coldness, the wide spread cold- 
ness of her sons and daughters, and labored much and faith- 
fully to allure them to greater spirituality and conformity to 
Christ. The life of this devoted servant of the Lord was in 
accordance with his preaching, and his death was both. 
For, he lived the life, and died the death, of the righteous. 

His last sermon was preached a few days only before his 
death, and under a presentiment that it would close his min- 
isterial course on earth. At its commencement a peculiar 
feehng of humbleness of mind came over him, accompanied 
with enlarged manifestations of the divine majesty and good- 
ness. These filled his soul with heavenly joy, and imparted 
to his manner unusual animation. The Scriptures came to his 



278 HISTORY OF EDGEFIEl-D. 

recollection with readiness, and a spiritual unction bedewed 
his whole discourse. He preached as a dj'ing man to dying 
metl. The feelings of the audience were in unison with those 
of the preacher, and a holy influence seemed to pervade the 
whole audience. 

He returned to his family under the pressure of sickness, 
which the skill of the physician could not remove. For this 
dear and honored servant, having fought a good fight, finished 
his course, and kept the battle, was now to be called up higher 
to receive his reward. 

During his illness he spoke affectionately and faithfully to 
those around him, with ths calm and firm confidence of one 
who knew "in whom he believed," and to whom he had com- 
mitted that which he knew would be kept in safety against 
that day. Assembling his family around him on the daj'' of 
his decease, he bade them an affectionate farewell, and com- 
mended them to the care of the orphan's Father and the 
widow's God and husband, and then betaking himself to holy 
converse with his Lord, he lifted up his heart in fervent 
prayer, and reiterating the word amen, fell sweetly asleep in 
Jesus. 

The death of such a man, at such a time, is no ordinary 
loss, may its voice be heard by the churches, and especially 
those to whom he ministered. May we all have our l^ins 
girded about, and our lamps trimmed and burning, awai.ing 
the call of our Divine Master. 

Our departed brother has left a widow and three chile en, 
W'ith an aged mother, brothers and sisters, and a large nu iber 
of brethren and friends to mourn his loss. 

In the preparation of this article the writer takes a melan- 
choly pleasure in making it short and plain, according to the 
dying wish of its dear and honored subject. It is now closed 
with this incident. A brother, haviug heard the dec ased 
express his determination to read the New Testament thjough 
once a month, bought a pocket volume to present to him. 
But death prevented the execution of the benevolent d'sign. 
May it fall into the hands of one who will execute the purpose 
of him for whom it was intended, but now needs it no more. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIE^D. 279 

CAPTAIN JAMES POPE BEAN 

A grandson of Rev. Mark Abney, was elected a member of 
the House of Representatives from Edgefield County in 1888; 
was private secretary to Governor Tillman in 1890, and was 
appointed a member of the commission for the new County of 
Saluda by the Constitutional Convention of 1895. Captain 
Bean was happily married in 1890 to Miss W. Bessie Ready, a 
daughter of Honorable Wm. J. Ready, and a grand-daughter 
of Dr. John C. Ready, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in 
this book, 

Edgefield Advertiser, October 21st, 1868, copied by John R. 
Abney, Esq.: 

DEATH OF MAJOR CICERO ADAMS. 

Major Cicero Adams, the gallant soldier, who, in the late 
war, led forth the first company from Edgefield and from 
South Carolina, is no more. Since the close of the war he has 
dwelt, in high honor and esteem, at Bamberg, on the South 
Carolina Railroad, where he departed this life on the 2ndinst. , 
aged thirty -four. Major Adams spent his early manhood in 
our midst, and married a daughter of one of our most honored 
families. Troops of friends will cherish the memory of this 
generous comrade and noble soldier. 

Edgefield Advertiser, January nth, 1865, copied by John R. 
Abney, Esq. : 

JOSEPH MATTHEW ABNEY, 

'if hose untimely death we now come to notice, was the elder 
scn'pf Caroline S. and Dr. M. W. Abney, (late Surgeon P. A. 
C. .,) and fell mortally wounded at the battle of Sharpsburg, 
Maryland, on the 17th of September, 1862, in the twenty-first 
year of his age. 

No public announcement has until now been made of the 
sad' event, owing to the uncertainty in which his fate has 
hitli. ;rto been enveloped. And even to this day and hour his 
family and relatives are in a painful state of incertitude whether 
he breathed his last while 

"The stream of slaughter from that place of blood 
, Spread o'er the tainted sky," 

or the vital spark of his youthful life was extinguished in the 
noisome wards of a Northern hospital. However this may be, 



28o HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

no doubt any longer lingers, even in the minds of the most 
hopeful, of his having perished in fighting in the battles of the 
South, and here to-day it is our proud, albeit mournful, privi- 
lege to add his name to Carolina's Roll of Honor. 

Young Abney first entered the lists as a soldier with tlie 
"Edgefield Riflemen," in Januaay, 1861. After some months 
of service on Sullivan's and Morris' Islands, he volunteered to 
go with the First Regiment to Virginia under Colonel Gregg. 
Having served out his time in the First Regiment, he came 
home, where he had arrived but a few days before his life was 
threatened by a severe attack of typhoid fever. This danger 
escaped, he returned to Virginia, and enrolled himself as a 
member of Captain Bland's Company of the famous Seventh 
Regiment, with which he did most loyal service, having beea 
on every campaign and in every action in which that band of 
scarred Veterans was represented from the Manassas retreat, 
and the battle before Richmond to that of Sharpsburg, where 
he received his fatal wound. 

In a letter to his father on the morning before the battle he 
avowed that he v/as prepared and willing for any sacrifice. 
The lamented Hard, in a letter to his mother in answer to in- 
quir'es concerning his fate, paid the following high and well- 
deserved testimonial to his gallantry on that occasion, and at 
the same time limned a picture of his condition when last seen 
on that gory field, which might well melt a heart of stone. 
He says: "It affords me a melancholy pleasure to give you 
such a slight information concerning him as I possess, and to 
testify to the gallant manner in which he conducted himself 
upon the field on which he was wounded. On the ijtli of 
September we engaged the enemy at Sharpsburg, Maryland. 
In making a desperate, but unsuccessful charge upon one of 
the enemy's batteries, man}- of our men fell, and amongst 
them, near to the guns, your son was shot down. I saw him 
as we fell back. He called to me as I passed him, and asked 
me if I could give him a drink of water from my canteen, say- 
in at the same time: 'I am wounded in the leg.' I paused a 
moment to glance at him, but having no water, being unable 
to render him any assistance, and being left in command of 
my regiment, I passed on to a point at which we were ordered 
to rally, -i'^ * * In my association with your son, I had 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 28 1 

learned to regard him as high-toned, gallant, honorable. He 
won the affections of his companions, and the respect of all 
who knew him." 

Colonel Joseph Abue}', in a letter to his father concerning 
his death condoles with him in the following beautiful and 
pathetic terms: "He was the most trust-worthy and reliable 
young man of all my kindred and of all my acquaintance, and 
he had the highest place in my esteem and in my warm affec- 
tions. His image can never be effaced from ni}- heart, and if 
he is fallen, the loss to me is irreparable, for he stood to me in 
the same relation as son. He had so much honor, so much 
gentleness, and so much manhood that when disgusted with 
the vices and wickedness of other yeung men, to him, I could 
always turn with pride and inexpressible relief, as from a 
barren waste, to a meadow rich and green with all that can 
delight the eye or satisfy the soul of man. He was, in a 
great measure, my own pupil, and he was a comely scion that 
grew up under the training and trimming of my own hands, 
and he promised to be the honor and glory of his family and 
of all that loved him. Your grief can scarcely exceed my own. 
The occasion is one, which, but for his triumphant and glori- 
ous disappearance, and the bright companionship he had along 
might fill a community with sadness, depression and gloom." 

The writer of this tribute believes that he could not do more 
loving justice to the noble 3'outh who forms the subject of the 
above glowing encomium than b)- presenting similar extracts 
from other condolatory letters to his berea'.x-d parents, as 
showing what profoimd regret was felt at the loss of one so 
young, so promising, and so true. But he trusts that those 
already given will sufficiently evidence that he was a 5'oung 
man of no ordinary mould, and that, if his life had been 
spared, he would have been a most useful, exemplary, and 
honored member of society. 

His life was as blameless and irreproachable, as his exit was 
glorious and triumphant, and the memory of the great sacri- 
fice he has made for his countr}^ and the loved ones at home 
should be preserved as sacredly as the vestals guarded the 
chosen fire of the Gods. He lies dead upon the field of glorj', 
but as to "a thing ensky'd and sainted" we speak farewell to 
his honored shade. W. H. A. 



282 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Edgefield Advertiser, February loth, 1870, copied by John 
R. Abney, Esq. : 

DEATH OF COLONEL JOSEPH ABNEY. 

Suddenly and unexpectedly, we are called to mourn the loss 
of a much valued and beloved citizen. Colonel Joseph Abney 
died at his residence in the town of Edgefield, on Wednesday 
night, the 2nd instant, after an illness of only ten hours, a 
victim of the prevailing epidemic, Meningetis, as pronounced 
by his brother, Dr. M. W. Abney, the attending physician. 
He died in the prime of manhood, at the age of forty-eight, 
leaving a wife and three children. 

Bravely, honestly, and efficiently, he fought the battle of 
life, as he fought for the honor, interest, and glory of his 
country. Educated, he became an accomplished scholar, 
lawyer, and soldier. His civil triumphs in popular assemblies, 
in the Legislature and in the forum, as well as laurels won in 
war, make up the sum of a reputation, of which his family, 
his friends, and his native Carolina are justly proud. But 
although he received the plaudits of his country, for services 
rendered in peace and in war; while every battle ground from 
Vera Cruz to the Garita de Belin, of Mexico, and his blood 
shed on the field of Churubusco; and later in life, at Drury's 
Bluff, in our last war, attest his devotion and skill as a war- 
rior, he has left behind a monument to his fame, not less to be 
appreciated in the memory and gratitude of care-worn poverty, 
which, with a ready hand, prompted by Christian Charity, he 
never failed to alleviate; and the poor will bless him, in their 
sorrow for his departure. But he is gone! And it is a con- 
solation to believe, that he has entered into his eternal rest, as 
a Christian and an heir of Salvation. 

Edgefield Advertiser, January nth, 1S65, copied by John R. 
Abney, Esq. : 

PICKENS B. WATTS— IN MEMORIAM. 

The martial deeds and chivalrous feats, "fit for song and 
story," of our glorious Southern heroes, illustrated on many a 
hard-fought field in this our unequal contest for national inde- 
pendence, are deepl}' furrowed and embalmed in the memories 
of a grateful people. The treasure of their blood has en- 
riched the verdant plains, hillsides, and valleys of our coun- 



HISTOR"?- OF 'EDGEFIELD. 283 

try's soil, and the brooks and rivulets, as they murmur over 
them, blush blood-red at the barbarities and iniquities of a 
worse than Scythian foe. But the blood of those who have 
thus nobly immolated themselves on the altars of their country 
will ever be cherished and sanctified as the precious ransom of 
our liberties. In the future days of the republic, those classic 
battle grounds will become so many Mecca-shrines to which 
our ardent and peerless youth will emulously flock as pilgrims 
to imbibe from the relics of the illustrious dead the exalted 
lessons of patriotism, devotion, and virtue. The historian of 
this war, perchance, will deem that he has discharged his obli- 
gation to posterity when his stylus has inscribed on the his- 
toric scroll the name of each "Captain, or Colonel, or Knight- 
at arms" who has fi'gured in the eventful story, the successes 
he has achieved, and his vivats of popular applause. But it 
will be the legacy of the faithful chronicler to fill up the chasm 
left by the more ambitious historian and ' 'set down with gold 
on lasting pillars' ' the names and unhouored laurels of those 
warrior-heroes who, though holding subordinate stations in 
the military arena, nevertheless dealt doughty blows, and per- 
formed prodigies of valour, in delivering their country from 
the galling yoke of servitude. And here offer we up the meed 
— a tearful and grief- wrung tribute to the manes of two devoted 
martyrs who have thus poured out the rich spilth of their 
heart's best blood as a libation to the goddess of Liberty. 
"The king of shadows loves a shining mark." 

Never were the words of seer or poet more strikingly con- 
firmed than in the death of First Sergeant Pickens Butler 
Watts, Company F, Twenty-Seventh Regiment South Caro- 
lina Volunteers, who fell near Petersburg, Va., on the 24tli of 
June, 1S64, while in command of a company charging the 
enemy's work. He was the son of Mary S. Watts, deceased, 
and Richard Watts, Esq., of Saluda, Laurens District, and 
was 32 years of age when the silver cord of his life was loosed 
forever. 

Immediately after the ratification of the Ordinance of Seces- 
sion by the State Convention on the memorable 20th of De- 
cember, i860, Sergeant Watts attached himself to a company 
of minute men, the "Rhett Guards," raised at Newberry 
Court House by Captain Whit Walker. This fine Company 



284 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

shortly afterward:^ tendered its services to Governor Pickens, 
and was ordered to report to Colonel Maxcj'- Gregg on Sulli- 
van's Island, which it did early in January, 1861, and com- 
posed a part of that chosen phalanx, known as the First Regi- 
ment of South Carolina Volunteers. The operations of this 
Regiment on Sullivan's and Morris' Islands, and its subsequent 
brilliant career in Virginia are already "familiar as household 
words. ' ' 

On a few weeks before the Regiment's term of enlistment 
expired, Sergeant Watts had led to the bridal altar one of 
Edgefield's most lovely and accomplished daughters. Of 
strong attachments and of an ardent and loving temperament, 
he was not insensible to the claims of conjugal affection, or 
the endearing charms and influences of home and famil3\ But, 
glowing with patriotic ardour, he felt that the claim of his 
country was paramount to every other consideration. Ac- 
cordingly, in the fall of 1861, he joined the "Edgefield Blues," 
a Company raised by Captain Joseph Abney, and which sub- 
.sequently became Company A, of the Twenty-Second Regi- 
ment, South Carolina Volunteers, a Regineut of twelve 
month's troops, of which Captain Abney was elected the 
Colonel. At the re-organization of this Regiment Colonel 
Abney failed to be re-elected. A special Act of Congress, 
however, passed about this time, provided for the organization 
of Battalions of Sharpshooters in the different States, the 
materials for which v.-ere to be eliminated from the various 
Brigades and Regiments already in service. Colonel Abney 
w^as nominated and appointed by Major General Pemberton to 
organize and assume command of one of these Battalions. 
Sergeant Watts obtained a transfer to Major Abney's Battalion 
in the month of July, 1862, and was appointed Orderly 
Sergeant of Company B, commanded by Jos. Blythe Allston. 
The First Battalion of South Carolina Sharpshooters will 
long be remembered for its faultless discipline and the excel- 
lence and maturity of its drill.- It is unnecessary to enumerate 
here the valuable services rendered by that picked corps at 
Grahamville, Bee's Creek, Coosawhatchie, Pocotaligo, Com- 
bahee Ferry, Johns', Wadmalaw, and James' Islands, and 
Winyaw Bay near Georgetown. But it was at Pocotaligo, on 
the 22nd October, 1862, that the Company to which Sergeant 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 285 

Watts belonged particularly distinguished itself. It there 
evoked the unqualified "well-done" from General "Liveoak" 
Walker for its gallant behaviour, all three of the commissioned 
officers present, having been wounded in that engagement. 

After a separate existence of about sixteen months, Major 
Abney's Battalion was amalgamated with the Charleston 
Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel P. C. Gaillard forming 
the Twenty-Seventh Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, 
Hagood's Brigade. Towards the close of April 1S64, this 
splendid Brigade was ordered to Petersburg, Va., and there it 
won golden opinions and imperishable renown in all those 
brilliant and bloody encounters, which rendered its name no 
less a terror to the foe, than a pride to the gallant State which 
sent it forth on its errands to avenge the blood of her fallen 
children. In all of those sanguinary conflicts, Sergeant Watts 
bore a conspicuous part. The official reports of those battles 
announce him as having been engaged with distinction at 
Walthall Junction, Drewry's Bluff, Bermuda Hundreds, and 
Cold Harbor. 

On the fatal 24th of June, he was acting as Lieutenant and 
commanding a company, which with clarion- voice he was 
cheering forward, leading the way himself, in a desperate 
assault on the entrenched position of the enemy. Pie had just 
gained the enemy's works, and was still encouraging his com- 
rades, w'hen his brain was pierced by a hostile bullet, killing 
him instantly. 

Thus has passed away from us this earnest, impassioned, 
and intrepid spirit. His officers and fellow-soldiers, as well as 
his family and friends, fondly cherished the hope that lie was 
a captive, and would soon be restored to them by the usual 
mode of exchange. But an officer of high rank, and v.-ho had 
read his character well, concluded with more discernment 
when he declared that "he was too brave a man ever to allow 
himself to be taken alive. ' ' 

In thus attempting a brief sketch of his not uneventful 
military career perhaps as much has been said as will be re- 
quired to establish his shining qualities as a soldier. He 
was ever 



286 HISTOKY OF EDGEFIELD. 

"Ready to do what a hero can, .' 

Wall to sap, or river to ford, 
Cannon to front, or foe to pursue, 

Still ready to do, and sworn to be true, 
As a man and a patriot can." 

In a private and social aspect, the character of Sergeant 
Watts needs no eulogium. His amenity, openness, and access- 
ibility were esteemed traits which elevated him high in the 
social scale and made him a most welcome companion to all 
with whom he mingled. 

"He was one, 

The truest manner 'd, 

Half all men's hearts were his." 

He possessed in a degree rarely acquired the happy faculty 
of unbending himself to the young and ingratiating their 
affections. Even his faults were of that peculiar mitigating 
class which are supposed to have a leaning to the side of 
virtue. Over his noble and fearless soul a dishonorable pur- 
pose never flapped its raven wing. Stern, resolute, and 
inflexible in all matters of duty, he was j'et engaging in his 
address, and mild, winning, and conciliating in his intercourse 
with all. 

"His life was gentle: and the elements. 

So mixed in him, that nature might stand up, 
And say to all the world, this was a man! " 

Edgefield Advertiser, February 24tli, 1870: 

JOSEPH ABNEY. 

Colonel Carey W. Styles, of the Albany (Ga.) News, after 
copying our announcement of the death of Colonel Joseph 
Abney, adds an eloque:it and feeling tribute to the memory of 
the deceased as follows: "We knew him well — messed with 
him through Scott's Mexican Campaign, slept in the same 
tent, and fought by his side — and in all the relations of com- 
panion, messmate, officer, and soldier, he was kind, generous, 
courteous, and brave. He possessed exalted character, and a 
sense of honor as pure and lofty as the knightliest champion 
that e'er bore a prize from the lists. We esteemed him for his 
manly contest with the ills that flesh is heir to; admired him 
for a noble courage that ever dared misfortune and danger 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 287 

with nerveless inflexibility; loved him for his social and com- 
panionable virtues, and mourn him as a friend gone to that 
undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." 

JOSEPH HADDON, 

An Englishman, who died in the early part of the year 1896, 
in Abbeville County, deserves to have his name mentioned in 
the history of Edgefield. Indeed, it would not have been out 
of place in the history of the State, as he was the first engineer 
who ever run a locomotive on any railroad in the State. 
When the South Carolina Railroad from Charleston to Ham- 
burg was building it is said that he came over from England 
with the locomotive that was first put upon that road, and 
that he helped in the making of it. Whether the story is true 
this writer has no means of knowing, but it is altogether 
probable that the honor belongs to Joe Haddon. If I am not 
mistaken, he and his wife once lived at Mount Enon in a house 
built by Dr. J. C. Ready. I used to meet him occasionally 
when my home .was in that part of Edgefield District which is 
now Saluda County. 

Mr. Haddon was at an advanced age at the time of his 
death, 

THE OUZTS SETTLEMENT. 

Near Meeting Street, about ten miles north of Edgefield 
Court House, is a settlement which has been, and is yet known 
as the Dutch Settlement. It embraces a scope of country 
about ten miles square. The founder of this settlement, Peter 
Ouzts, came direct from Germany with his father, Dietereig 
Ouzts, before the Revolutionary War, in 1769, and was a brave 
soldier in that war. He was in many battles and was severely 
wounded several times. He was only twelve years old when 
he landed in America. His mother died aboard ship, was 
buried at sea, and he was left alone with only his father to care 
for him. 

Mr. Dietereig Ouzts lived near the River Rhine, in Germany, 
and sailed from Hamburg for this country. After the Revo- 
lution he married again and became the father of three other 
sons, Mike and Jacob, of Newberry County, and Martin, of 
Edgefield. All married and reared families. 

Peter grew to manhood, wooed and won Miss Elizabeth 



288 HISTORY OF. KDGEFIELD. 

Harliiig, and they became the happy parents of a large family 
of children, thirteen sons and two daughters. One son and 
one daughter died in youth, the others married and succeeded 
well in farming. As each one married off he was set up in life 
with a farm of several hundred acres, cut off from the home 
tract, and was given stock and supplies sufficient for a year, 
and then left to carve out his own fortune. Tobacco was the 
principal money crop at that time, and plenty of provisions 
were raised on the farms for home consumption. These sturdy 
people were very quiet and were contented with the enjoy- 
ments of home life, caring nothing for the excitements of 
town and city life. Peter Ouzts' sons were named David, 
John, Henr)^, Martin, Aaron, Jacob, Abram, Isaac, Peter, 
Daniel, and Benjamin. The daughter married Daniel 
George. 

Mr. Peter Ouzts, the patriarch of the settlement, lived to 
the age of 77 years, long enough to see all his children mar- 
ried and settled in life, except one or two of the younger ones, 
who married soon after his death. Nearly all the children of 
the older generations were boys, and hence the numerous 
descendants of Mr. Peter Ouzts are easily traced. In 1880 
there were nearly one thousand (940) descendants of Mr. Peter 
Ouzts, and nearl}^ all of them were living in Edgefield Count}-, 
In the War of Secession this family furnished as many boys, 
thirteen, to uphold the "I^ost Cause" as any family in the 
State, and no truer nor braver people were ever found in bat- 
tle. Some lost arms and legs and some their lives upon the 
battle field. Five were killed. 

The name Ouzts is Americanized. In Germany it is Uzt, 
and to make it more complete the letters O and S are prefixed 
and affixed, but whether the naine was improved by the change 
is yet a debateable question. It was once spelled "Utes,,' in 
the year 1800. In the year 18 19 the present form was used. 
Since the war, and with its various changes, this family and 
their descendants have become greatly scattered. Dr. B. F. 
Ouzts, son of one of the original twelve brothers, is living in 
Texas, and for several 3-ears has been a member of the city 
council in the town in which he lives. He is an able physi- 
cian; in business has been very successful, and has acquired 
considerable property. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 289 

W. H. Ouzts, the oldest son of Daniel Ouzts, is now (1892) 
Sheriff of Edgefield County. The duties of this office are, and 
have been, faithfully and impartially discharged by him. 
That he is one of the most popular men in the county, and 
that he has faithfully discharged the duties of the office, is 
proven by the fact that he is now serving his third term, 
making twelve years during which he has held the office. 
Mr. Benjamin Ouzts, the youngest son of Peter Ouzts, is still 
living in his father's old house. The house, however, has 
been moved about a mile from the original site. Mr. Ouzts 
has amassed considerable property, and is still as persevering 
as ever, although he is nearly three-score. Mr. D. T. Ouzts, 
son of Benjamin Ouzts, is the present popular and efficient 
Cashier of the Bank of Johnston. 

Dr. W. D. Ouzts, grandson of Isaac Ouzts, the third next to 
the youngest of the orignal brothers, is an able and prominent 
physician of Edgefield. Mr. James W. Ouzts, grandson of 
Daniel Ouzts, is a civil engineer in Alabama. He has acquired 
some very valuable property in the Southwestern States. Mr. 
Daniel A. G. Ouzts, the youngest son of Daniel Ouzts by his 
secOiicL vviie, xiiss Martha Hill Eowery, a distant cousin of 
President George Washington, is at this writing, May, 1892, 
with Pelzer, Rodgers & Co., of Charleston, S. C. He was in 
the South Carolina College, but left without graduation to 
edit and take charge of the management of the Edgefield 
Chronicle, of which he was owner while in college. 



>90 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXVI. 

CHURCHES— METHODIST. 

In Shipp's History of Methodism in South CaroHna, which 
is my authority for what I write of Methodism in Edgefield, 
no dates are given of the establishing or building of the 
different houses of worship in the various localities, nor of the 
formation of Circuits and Districts. The book is very valua- 
ble as a history of the movements, lives, and labors of the 
preachers engaged in the work, but in other respects it is quite 
defective — leaves the general reader in the dark as to what 
part of the State Saluda Circuit is, or Butler Circuit, indeed, 
as to the location of any circuit or meeting house. As a rule, 
the names of the churches or meeting houses, are never given. 

The earliest notice I find of Methodist preaching at Edge- 
field Court House was in May 1790. Beverly Allen, the 
minister, writing to Mr. Wesley, says: "May 8th I attended a 
quarterly meeting on Saluda. The first day there was a con- 
siderable work among the people, but on the second we had a 
large, attentive congregation, to whom I spoke freely. All 
were still and attended to what I said, till, toward the close of 
the sermon, when the word caused a trembling and a weeping 
in the whole assembl}^ Soon after the)^ cried for mercy, and 
the poor, distressed creatures fell on their knees beseeching us 
to pray for them, which we did. Some found mercy and 
peace to their souls, and others were under deep distress. On 
my way the day following I preached in Edgefield Court 
House to a very considerable number of attentive peoi>le, to 
whom I declared the oath of God, that he has no pleasure in 
the death of a sinner. Towards the conclusion, one woman, 
sitting on a lofty seat, dropped to the floor, and soon after a 
number of others came and fell on their knees, crying for 
mercy, and several found deliverance." 

This Beverly Allen was ordained at the First Conference 
held at Green Hill, N, C, beginning April 20th, 1785. For 
a few years he was a great preacher, a traveling companion of 
the Bishop Asbury, and a correspondent of Mr. Wesley. In 
1792 his name stands in the Minutes as "expelled." He 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 291 

engaged in mercantile business in Augusta; got into dif^lCultie^-' 
and killed Major Forsyth, the United States Marshal, while 
attempting to arrest him for debt. He fled, but was captured 
and imprisoned in Elbert County, Ga. , but was soon released 
by his friends, who charitably supposed him to be insane. He 
then buried himself in the wilds of Kentuck}^ where he 
practiced medicine. Rev. Peter Cartwright, D. D., sa\'S of 
him "After killing the Sheriff he fled from the country to 
escape justice, and settled in Logan County, Kentucky, then 
called 'Rogue's Harbor.' His family followed him, and 
here he practiced medicine. To ease a troubled conscience 
he drank in the doctrine of Universalism, but he lived and died 
a great friend to the Methodist Church." This writer has 
learned from his reading that some as hol}^ and saintly men as 
ever lived were believers in the doctrine of Universal Salva- 
tion; and others as saintly and pure as it is possible for human 
nature to be, were devout members of the Roman Church, 
that church, which we Protestants are so prone to regard as 
the mother of harlots and of all abominations. The truth is, 
the Holy Spirit of God touches, quickens, and regenerates 
every one who desires the divine life, be his religious faitli 
what it may, without regard to his intellectual perception of 
dogmatic truth. 

As far back as 1785 and 1786 the preachers penetrated the 
countr}- up the principal rivers. Saluda is not named, but 
Broad River is, and Broad River Circuit was formed, which 
embraced part of Newberry. George Daugherty, a native of 
Newberry District, came to Saluda District as Presiding Elder 
in 1802. We find that in 1791 Dr. Coke preached at Ninety- 
Six on his return from a Conference in Wilkes County,' Ga. I 
must note here that the celebrated I^orenzo Dow wandeied into 
the wilderness of the Tombigbee River in 1803 and 1S04, and 
preached the first Protestant sermon on the soil of Alabama. 
On his return North he passed through Edgefield, preached 
at the Court House and at Abney's Meeting House on the 
Saluda River, near Higgins' Ferry. 

Jo.seph Moore, who closed his active life in the ministry in 
Edgefield on the Saluda Circuit in the year 1833, though he 
lived until the 14th of February, 1851, dying in hisSsth year, 
was born in Virginia in 1767. He was about 65 years in the 



292 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

active and efficient ministry of the Gospel. I have a sermon 
of his showing the difference between the foreknowledge and 
the decrees of God, which was printed at the N. A. Gazette 
Office, Augusta, Georgia, in 1833, and, I suppose, was 
preached to his people some time that same year; though it is 
not stated when nor where nor on what occasion the sermon 
was delivered, except that it was at a particular request. 

Joseph Moore was born in Virginia in 1767. In his child- 
liood his parents moved to Rutherford County, N. C. He 
was licensed to preach in his 19th j^ear. Five years afterwards 
he was admitted to traveling connection and became one of the 
pioneers of Methodism. He preached in North Carolina, South 
Carolina, and in Virginia. In 1806 he was located at his own 
request. In 1S26 he rejoined the South Carolina Conference 
and continued laboring until 1834. 

Nicholas Walters was born in Maryland, November 20th, 
1739, — received on probation in 1776, and, besides the labors 
bestowed on Maryland and Virginia, he traveled the Union, 
S-uuda and Broad River Circuits in the South Carolina Con- 
f : :ixce, and was stationed in Charleston in 1804, where he 
died of yellow fever on the loth of August of that 5"ear, in 
the 65tli year of his age. His youngest brother, William 
Walters, was the first American preacher who entered the 
traveling connection. 

Coleman Carlisle joined tlie itinerancy in 1792, and was sent 
to Broad River Circuit. In 1802 he was sent to Saluda. "I 
have known him," says Mr. Travis, "after returning home 
from preaching several miles distant, after supper to take the 
same horse (he had but one) and plow with him by moonlight 
until nearly midnight, and then go off next morning to his 
appointment. He neither owned nor hired servants. ' ' He 
was a very popular preacher, and v/heu local was sent for, far 
and near, to preach funeral sermons. For these labors he 
received no compensation. He has two grandsons living in 
Newberry County, M. A. Carlisle, Esq., a lawyer practicing 
at Newberry Court House and Dr. R. C. Carlisle, a physician 
practic ng in the County. 

In 1797 George Clark had charge of the Saluda Circuit. 
From 1802 to 1804 George Daugherty was Presiding Elder of 
the Saluda District. Of Mr. Daugherty .something more must 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIEI.D. 293 

be said than that he was Presidijig Elder of Saluda District. 
He was a great preacher and a remarkable man. He was born 
in 1772 in Newberry District near the Lexington line. He 
began life as a teacher in the fork of Saluda and Broad Rivers, 
boarding with a Mr. Reamy. In December 1797 he went 
down with George Clark, who had charge of the Saluda Cir- 
cuit, as an applicant for admission into the traveling connec- 
tion. Conference met in Charleston January ist, 1798. He 
was received and appointed to a circuit. His career as a 
preacher was not long, but very active and useful. In 1807 
he attended the last conference in which his voice was ever 
heard on earth. At this conference he brought forward and 
triumphantly carried the resolution which fixed the sentiment 
of the South Carolina Conference true to duty for all time to 
come, "If any preacher shall desert his station through fear 
in time of sickness or danger, the conference shall never em- 
ploy that man again." A noble resolution. 

The following anecdotes are given as incidents in his own 
personal history, and also as illustrating the spirit of the times 
and the state of society at the period of his active career. He 
lived at a time when the public, especiallj' that of Charleston, 
was easily excited on the subject of slavery, and Methodist 
preachers were objects of suspicion and dislike. This arose 
from the insane zeal of some of the early preachers on that 
subject. The course of Dr. Coke had been influential in pro- 
ducing this state of feeling. It is not strange, therefore, that 
a few injudicious remarks made in one of the Charleston 
churches by a transient Methodist preacher .should have pro- 
duced some excitement. A compan}^ of young men went to 
the Methodist meeting house, determined to give the offending 
preacher a taste of mob law; but they mistook their man, and, 
seizing Mr. Daugherty, they dragged him to the pump and 
pumped water upon him until he was nearly dead. He would 
probabl}^ have been pumped to death had he not been rescued 
by a heroic -woman. Mrs. Kugley, seeing his predicament, 
and the great danger in which he was, rushed through the 
mob, and, gathering up her gown, stuifed it into the spout of 
the pump and stopped the flow of water. The mob then let 
Mr. Daugherty go, and Mrs. Kugley took him to a place of 
safety and had him properly cared for. It is probable that 



294 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

he never entirely recovered from the injury thus received. 

Another incident, illustrative of Mr. Daugherty's power as 
a preacher, must be given. At a camp-meeting held in Dar- 
lington District, in 1805, the assembled rowdies perpetrated 
enormities over which it is necessary, even at this distant day, 
to draw a veil. On Sunday the crowd of rowdies was very 
large, and while roving about through the pine forest which 
surrounded the camp, it came to pass while Rev. James Jenkins 
was preaching that a lady in the congregation began to praise 
God aloud. From every point of the compass the rowdies came 
thundering into camp with the tramp of a herd of buffaloes, 
thus producing a scene of wild confusion. By this time the 
lady had become quiet, and the time had come for Mr. 
Daugherty to launch a thunderbolt. He rose and said: "I 
desire very much to engage your attention for. a short time, 
and as I am aware of your impatience, I propose, as a sort of 
compromise with you, to waive all the introductory services 
and proceed directly to my discourse." He then announced 
for his text Mark 5:15, "And the herd ran violently down a 
steep place into the sea, and w^ere choked." He first spoke of 
the wiles of satan, showing that he was willing to le anything 
and to do anything so that he could lead his victims astray. 
He then considered the text in the order of the thoughts which 
it suggests: First, tlie herd into which the devils went; 
second, the drivers, and third, the market. He swept along 
his pathway like a blazing comet, drawing such life-like pic- 
tures of vice and diabolical intrigue that the miserable creatures 
before him seemed spell-bound; though they were all standing, 
scarcely a man among them broke ranks. When he reached 
his imaginary market with them, the end of an abandoned life, 
of a dark and vSouldestroying course of wickedness, the picture 
took on such an appalling hue that an involuntary shudder 
came manifestly over the vast audience; they seemed actually 
to see them, in successive columns, disappearing from mortal 
view and sinking into the everlasting abyss. The most stout- 
hearted sinners present seemed overwhelmed with amazement, 
and when the preacher closed they left in wild confusion, and 
were soon en route for home. 

Never, perhaps, was effort made under similar circumstances 
that equalled this. It was pertinent, awful, loving, scathing. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 295 

and unique. It was the attack of a master-mind in a last 
resort, and was entirely successful. 

From I Soy to 18 10 Lewis Myers was Presiding Elder of the 
Saluda District. He was born at Indian Fields, in Colleton 
District, S. C, May 7th, 1775, and died on the i6th of 
November, 1851. 

In 1 8 10 Reddick Pierce was Presiding Elder, and John R. 
Coburn rode Saluda Circuit in 1831. In 1842 and 1843 Samuel 
Dunwoody rode a circuit in Edgefield, where I used to see him 
frequently. Zoar, then called Persimmon Creek, was one of 
his churches, where I sometimes heard him preach. Many 
anecdotes used to be told of his oddities. His son Samuel I 
knew well for many years, and loved him for his truth and 
purit)' of character. His death was tragic. He was night 
watchman at the railroad depot at New^berry, a few years after 
the war. One night while on duty he was murdered by some 
persons who wished to plunder, and the next morning his mu- 
tilated body was found l3'ing on the ground near the depot. 
He died at the post of duty— murdered. 

John Tarrant, born in Virginia, joined the South Carolina 
Conference in 1809; was at Edgefield as pastor in 1841. He 
died April ist, 1849, in his 65tli year. 

In 1841-44 Nicholas Talley was Presiding Elder of Cokes- 
bury District, of which, I believe, Edgefield is part. Joel 
Wilson Townsend was born in Marlboro District, January 19th, 
1800; was converted in 18 19; admitted to conference February, 
1823; was on Saluda Circuit 1831-32; at Edgefield 1837-38; 
.superannuated in 1844, and settled at Cokesbury, where he 
died May 14th, 18S0, while his son was conducting family 
worship. 

John R. Picket was at Edgefield in 1S58 and in 1859. In 
i860 and 1861 he was at Butler, in the same county. Mr. 
Picket was born in Fairfield County, April 2nd, 1814; con- 
verted in 1 831; entered the conference on trial February, 
1835. He died at his home in Chester, March 15th, 1870. 

This sketch of the history of Methodism in Edgefield is very 
meager and imperfect, but Shipp's History of Methodism in 
South Carolina, upon which the writer has relied for his infor- 
mation, confines itself, almost exclusively, to the lives and 
labors of the preachers engaged in the work. It does not tell 



296 HLSTORY OF EDGRFIKLD. 

when the church was established at Edgefield, nor, indeed, at 
any other place in the county, nor when the meeting houses 
were built, and seldom gives the names of any. 

Since the foregoing was written I have received the follow- 
ing information in regard to the history of this church in 
Edgefield : 

Saluda Circuit was the name given probably to the first 
charge ever organized by the Methodists in Edgefield, while 
yet, perhaps, it was a part of Ninety-Six District. In 1834 
the name was changed from Saluda Circuit to Edgefield Circuit. 
The Saluda Circuit in 1830 embraced the following named 
churches or places of worship: Mount Lebanon, Republican, 
Martin Town, Langley's, Nixon's, Swamp, Moore's, Reho- 
both, Providence, Bethel, Reedy Creek, Mile's, Bethany, 
Spring Hill, Court House, Pine Grove, Gassawa)' , Persimmon 
Creek, Cockran's, Kenny's, Spaun's, and Sleepy Creek. 

Persimmon Creek is now known as Zoar, and the name of 
Sleepy Creek has been changed to McKendree. Pine Grove 
has been abandoned, and some of the others have either ac- 
quired new names or been abandoned. Langley's was cut off 
with the territory which forms part of Aiken County. The 
amount raised by these churches for ministerial support in 
that year (1830) was $372.62^. 

The Methodist have kept pace with other denominations in 
church building and increase of membership. The amount of 
money raised for ministerial support and for benevolent pur- 
poses in recent years, is in striking contrast with that foimerly 
given for such purposes. 

In 1893 there were thirty Methodist houses of worship in 
Edgefield County, with an aggregate white membeiship of 
2,823. These churches paid for ministerial support that year 
the sum of $5,647.40, and the sum of $1,684.35 for benevolent 
and other purposes. The total valuation of church property 
then amounted to $33,300. 

Edgefield Circuit, formerly Saluda, used to require about 
four weeks for the preacher in charge to make the rounds of 
his appointments. From time to time the circuit has been 
divided and sub-divided until now there are nine circuits and 
parts of circuits carved from it. The following are the names 
of these circuits and the churches composing them: Parksville 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 297 

Circuit with five churches: Parksville, St. Paul, Barr's 
Chapel, Modoc, and Dothem. 

North Edgefield Circuit with four churches: Rehoboth, 
Bethel, Mt. Vernon, and Mt. Carmel. 

Saluda Circuit with four churches: Emorj^ Butler, Zoar, 
and Bethany. 

Edgefield Circuit has three churches: Edgefield, Trenton, 
and McKendree. 

Johnston Circuit has three churches: Johnston, Harmony, 
and Spann's. 

Butler Circuit has four churches: Bethlehem, Gassaway, 
Shiloh, and Tray wick. 

Batesburg Circuit has two Edgefield churches: Ridge Spring 
and Previdence. 

Leesville Circuit has three Edgefield churches: Nazareth, 
Rehoboth, and Clyde. 

Ninety-Six Circuit has two Edgefield churches: Kinard's 
and Mt. Lebanon. 

Mr. William Griffith, whom the writer of this history knew 
well for a great many years, claimed for Zoar as being the 
oldest place of worship in the County. That before the Revo- 
lution a log church was built where the present church stands. 
In that war a British squadron of cavalry camped there for a 
short time. The present writer was born in a house which 
stood on the old Ninety-Six road which was a few miles 
nearer Saluda than Zoar, and near that road on a hill side by 
Tosta Creek he found, when a boy, the barrel of a pistol, 
which certainly had once been finely mounted, as there were 
still to be seen on the barrel, or sticking to it, some scraps of 
gold. The barrel was kept for a number of years, but no 
special care being taken of it, it was finally lost, never to be 
found again. 

At a Quarterly Church Conference held at Zoar some j^ears 
before Mr. Griffith's death, the question of breaking up and 
discarding this church was being debated, and Mr. Griffith's 
residence being very near and he hearing of what was going 
on vvcnt down and opposed the proposition. In an earnest 
speech he pleaded for the church, and as related above, stated 
in regard to the age of the church. He said, rather than see 
the house pulled down and the graves of the dead neglected^ 



298 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

he would keep them up at his own expense. Mr. Griffith was 
able to carry his point and the church was retained, for which 
this writer is glad, as at that house and also at Bethany when 
it was still a log house, he sometimes met the brethren and 
sisters at love feasts and class meetings. 

Mr. Griffith once made a trip to Philadelphia with a wagon 
and team and brought back a load of goods for some Edgefield 
merchant. At that time such trips were not unusual. This 
was one of the inconveniences growing out of that war with 
Great Britian known as the War of 18 12. 

The land on which Bethany is built was donated bj^ Reuben 
Blalock in 1809. The first house built was of logs. Mr. 
Blalock's remains are buried at this church. 



HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 299 



XXVII. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

Edgefield was one of the three counties in the State of South 
Carohna, Lexington and Georgetown being the other two, 
which never, until 1877, had a Presb5'terian Church in its 
bounds. This is somewhat remarkable when we consider the 
fact that the adjoining Count}' of Abbeville is one of the great 
strongholds of Presbj'terianism in the State. Abbeville, how- 
ever, was settled by large colonies of Scotch-Irish and Hugue. 
nots, who brought their religion with them, whilst no such 
colonies of Presbyterians located in Edgefield. 

An effort was made before the War of Secession to establish 
a Presbyterian Church at the county seat, and a handsome 
sum was subscribed for the erection of a house of worship; but 
the war suspended the efforts in that direction. When the 
war was over many of the friends of the church were dead upon 
the field of battle and others were so dispirited that no further 
attempts were made till more than ten years ha.' passed after 
the restoration of peace. 

For a long time Mrs. J. W. Hill, then Miss Mattie Ward- 
law, was the only Presbyterian in the count}-. She held her 
membership in Augusta, Ga. In spite of her loneliness and 
the solicitations of friends to unite with other denominations, 
she clung to the faith of her fathers in the hope of establish- 
ing a church of like faith in which she could feel more at 
home. At length her fidelity and patience were rewarded and 
she became, under Providence, the mother of Presbyterianism 
in the county. As soon as one or two more were located in 
the county a petition was forwarded to South Carolina Pres- 
bytery, asking for an occasional ministerial visit, looking to 
the organization of a church. Finally a committee of South 
Carolina Presbytery was appointed. The committee consisted 
of Revs. J. L. Martin, D. D., R. A. Fair, W. F. Pearson, and 
Elders Thomas Thomson and Robert Wardlaw, who met at 
Edgefield Court House and organized the church. May 20th, 
1877, which adopted the name "Edgefield Presbyterian 
Church." The organization was made after much hesitation, 



300 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

many misgivings and earnest prayers, for onl}^ four persons were 
found ready to enroll themselves as its membership. Their 
names will be always held in honor by the church as examples 
of faith. Each one of the four is living at this date, May 
1892, and in active connection with that church; their names 
are Mr. S. H. Manget, Mrs. J. W. Hill, Mrs. R. S. Anderson, 
and Miss Etta Rainsford, now Mrs. J. B. Norris. Mr. S. H. 
Manget was elected, ordained, and installed its first ruling 
elder, and was for a long time its only officer. 

The new church was for several years supplied with preach- 
ing and sustained jointly by Charleston and South Carolina 
Presbyteries, as the C, C. & A. Railroad running through the 
county was the dividing line between them. Preaching waS' 
maintained at Edgefield Court House, Trenton, and Johnston, 
as "stations" in the bounds of the church of four members. 
This was, however, necessary, as several Presbyterians had 
located in Trenton and Johnston. The Edgefield Presbyterian 
Church was considered to cover the territory of the entire 
county. 

In May, 18S0, Rev. S. E- Morris visited it by invitation and 
held a meeting at Trenton, which resulted in ten additions to 
its membership. It was this visit which introduced to the 
church its first paster, and enlisted the interest of Rev. S. E. 
Morris in the church. The following year the supply .system 
terminated, and the church unanimously called Rev. S. E- 
Morris as its pastor. He was already in charge of Walhalla, a 
flourishing church, and so left the matter entirely in the hand.s 
of Presbytery, whether to accept or not. After debating the 
matter a whole day, it was decided by a two-third vote to send 
him to Edgefield. He began his labors in May, 1882, as 
pastor, but;was not installed until August 20th, 1882. 

At the beginning of his pastorate the membership of the 
church was about thirty, and a house of worship had beea 
erected at Trenton and dedicated in December, 1881. Rev. 
J. E. Martin, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. 

The first thing Rev. S. L. Morris did after his installation 
as pastor, was to establish a fourth preaching station, at the 
invitation of Mr. B. R. Tillman and his sisters, at the 
"Pavilion" of the "Hussars," near the residence of Mr. Till- 
man. The next in order was the erection of a church build- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 30I 

ing at Jo"hnstoii, which was dedicated in June, 1883, by Rev. 
J. L- Girardeau, D. D. This was quickly followed by a neat 
church building near Mr. B. R. Tillman's and upon the Till- 
man property, which was dedicated in November, 1883, by 
Rev. J. L. Girardeau, D. D. The fourth and last building was 
erected at Edgefield Court House and dedicated May, 1885, by 
Rev^ J. L. Girardeau, D. D., about eight years from the for- 
mation of the church of four members at Edgefield. These 
four church buildings in the county cost about seven thousand 
dollars. A very good showing for eight years' work, starting 
with only four members. 

As yet, there was only one organization, the church pre- 
ferring to hold together until it felt strong enough to separate 
into four. After preaching seven and a half years the pastoral 
relation between Mr. Morris and the church was dissolved in 
October, 1889, in order that he might accept a call to Macon, 
Ga. During his pastorate Mr, Morris preached at two stations 
•every Sabbath, riding on an average twenty miles each trip, 
making about a thousand miles a year. He received 130 i .-- 
sons into the Edgefield Church, and baptized <>" ■ -Ai;:^; ' : 
■church with a membership of 120. When his pastorate began 
there were 30. 

Upon the dissolution of this pastoral relation, the church 
was Avithout a pastor nearly a 5'ear before they could agree 
upon one. Finally they called Rev. J. M. Plowden, who has 
at the date of this writing, May, 1892, been among them ac- 
ceptably for about eighteen months. Under his administra- 
tion a manse has been built, and Johnston and Trenton, in 
1891, was organized into separate churches. This gives three 
fully organized churches in the county, with Highviev; still as 
preaching station. 

Among the most prominent members are the original four, 
Mr. S. H. Mauget, Mrs. J. W. Hill, Mrs. R. S. Anderson, and 
Mrs. J. B. Norris; also Dr. J. \V. Hill, W. E. Lynch, O. F. 
Cheatham, Dr. James H. DeVore, John K. Allen, B. B. 
Hughes, E. M. Hix, Dr. D. B. Frantis, Mrs. B. R. Tillman, 
Mrs. F. T. Simpson, Mrs. G. W. Wise, Mrs. J. M. Wise, Mrs. 
T. J. Teague, Mrs. Jno. Roper, and many of the most promis- 
ing young people of the county. The progress of this church 
is quite wonderful, and its future is bright with promise. 



302 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Rev. S. L. Morris, the first pastor, was born in Abbeville 
County, S. C. , December 25th, 1854. He joined Hopewell 
Church November 21st, 1868; graduated at Erskiue College 
June 25th, 1873; graduated at the Theological Seminary, 
Columbia, S. C. , May loth, 1876; pastor at Walhalla from 
May, 1876, to May, 1882; pastor at Edgefield from May, 1882, 
to October, 1889; Stated Clerk of South Carolina Presbytery 
from October, 1878, to October, 1889; represented South 
Carolina Presbytery in the General Assembly of 1880, at Char- 
leston, S. C, and 1887 at St. Louis, Missouri; director of Co- 
lumbia Seminary from 1885 to 1887; installed pastor of Tatnall 
Square Presbyterian Church, at Macon, Ga. , January- ist, 
1890. From this brief summing up the reader will see that 
Mr. Morris has not led an idle life, but that on the contrary he 
has been an indefatigable worker. 

LUTHERAN— ST. MARK S. 

The oldest Lutheran Church in Edgefield County — there are 
only six in all, as originally, very few Germans or Dutch, and 
no Scaudanavians, settled in that part of the country — is Saint 
Mark's, not far from Big Saluda. During the early part of 
the Nineteenth century, from iSoo to 18 10, several families 
from Newberry settled in the neighborhood. These were 
visited b}^ Rev. Wertz, who held services in private houses and 
preached in both the German and English languages. In a 
few years after the Synod of South Carolina was organized — 
which was in January, 1824, and the first meeting was held 
November 14th, 1824, — the Rev. J. D. Sheck was employed 
as missionary. During his mission he visited the congrega- 
tions, and towards the close of the year 1828 a house of worship 
was built, which was very small. Rev. G. Dreher first had 
charge. He was succeeded by Rev. Schwartz, who soon died, 
and after his death Revs. Herman Aull and Sheppard served 
them. During Mr. Sheppard's services the membership in- 
creased so much that it was necessary to enlarge the building, 
which was done in 1841. Revs. Bauknight and Sheppard then 
served them, but in a short time, that is in a few years, Mr. 
Sheppard moved to Mississippi, 

Mr. Sheppard did one service while pastor here, and if all 
other services and duties done and performed by him resulted 



; HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 303 

as happily as this, he has reason to congratulate himself. On 
the evening of May ist, 1845, he officiated as clergyman at the 
marriage of this writer to her whom he had chosen as his 
companion for life. A happy union of over forty years dura- 
tion, which was dissolved only by death. 

In 1856 a new house was built not far from the old one and 
was dedicated in 1857, by Revs. Berley and Bouknight. Mr. 
Bouknight continued pastor until 1868, when he was succeeded 
by Revs. Hawkins and Sligh. After this time the member- 
.ship became considerably reduced by the removal of several 
families to other localities. Some moved and settled in Sumter 
County, Georgia, where the Rev. J. P. Margart organized and 
built a church. 

Synod held meetings at St. Marks in 1842, 1852, and 1866, 
the Nineteenth, Twenty-Ninth, and Forty-Second Sessions. 

MOUNT CALVARY, 

The next oldest, and very near the same age, is Mount 
Calvary. In 1827 the Revs. J. D. Sheck and Jacob Wingard 
visited this locality as missionaries, when it was determined 
that a building be erected in which to worship. In 1828 a 
small log house was built, in which services were held in the 
early part of the year 1829. In February, 1830, a society was 
organized and the house was dedicated by Revs. W. D. Strobel 
and J. G. Schwartz. The church was supplied by them for 
some time, and afterwards by Revs. Moser and Aull. In 1835 
Rev. L. Bedenbaugh took charge and the congregation in- 
creased in numbers so much that it was found necessary to 
build a larger house. A new one was accordingly commenced 
and built, but in a different locality. This house was com- 
pleted and dedicated in July 1S37, the services being conducted 
by Revs. Moser, Haltiwanger, and E. Caughman. The con- 
gregations were served successively by E. Caughman, S. 
Bouknight, and B. Kreps. Synod held its Thirty-Third 
Session at this church in 1856. 

TRINITY. 

In the year 1835 a number of Lutherans from Newberry 
settled in this locality and formed a society. These were 
occasionally visited by Rev. Haltiwanger, Sr. , when, through 
his exertions a committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. 



304 HISTORY GK, EDGEFIELD. 

Jacob Haltiwanger, John M. Witt, and John Glaze to have a 
house of worship built. They, without delay, commenced the 
duty and the house was built at a cost of $417. It is situated 
on the Chapel Ferry Road, near the 43rd mile post from 
Hamburg, S. C. On the third Sunday in August, 1835, the 
building was dedicated as a hou.se of worship by Rev. John C. 
Hope, with but eight regular communicants as members of the 
church there at that time. The number increased to over 
fifty as the year went by, and the church continues to have a 
good membership. This church has been served by Revs. 
Cloy, Sheppard, Ranch, Kistler, Lindler, Wertz, Whittle, 
Bouknight, Blackwelder, Moses, and P. Derrick. 

Being isolated and distant from other I^utheran congrega- 
tions, it labors under man}' disadvantages. This church has 
been served by other faithful pastors, besides those mentioned 
above, since their time. 

GOOD HOPE. 

Good Hope was organized about the year 1S39. The build- 
ing of a house, which was soon finished, was undertaken by 
the members of the church immediately after the organization. 
It was dedicated in April, 1840, by Rev. Margart. Mr. Cloy 
was first pastor. He was followed by Revs. Bauknight, Shep- 
pard, lyindler, Caughman, Sheely, Hallman, and Bailey, and 
others since. At the formation of Pastorate No. 6, Mr. Wertz 
took charge; but he resigned in 1874 and took charge of Pas- 
torate No. 3. 

CORINTH. 

• This church is situated in the Fork of Big a';d Little Saluda 
Rivers. In 1842 a society was organized with twenty mem- 
bers. Not having a settled pastor, services were conducted by 
two pious laymen, Peter Hawkins and Martin Singley, in a 
school hou.se and also under a brush arbor. A church was 
built as .soon as possible and Rev. Sheppard became pastor. 
He was succeeded by Revs. Ranch, Metz, Bailey, Caughman, 
Hallman, Sligh, and P. Derrick. The corner-stone of anew 
church was laid on the fourth Sunday of October, 1871, and, 
soon after completion, the new building was dedicated in March, 
1872. Rev, Edwin A. BoUes preached the dedication sermon, 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 305 

and Revs. Emanuel Caughman and P. Derrick were present 
and assisted in the services. 

ST. JAMES', GRANITEVILLE. 

In 1858, Rev. S. Bauknight began Laboring at this place, 
a.ssisted by Revs. Emanuel Caughman, A. \V. Lindler, and J. 
N. Derrick. In i860 the church was organized and received 
by the Synod. An effort was made in 1861 to build a house 
of worship, but the work progressed slowly. However, in 
1862, the work had gone on so far as to enable the people to 
hold divine service in the house. It was then dedicated b}' 
Revs. Berley and J. N. Derrick, the latter remaining pastor for 
several years. There was little done during the war to com- 
plete the building. In 1865 Rev. B. Kreps took charge. He 
was succeeded by Rev. Emanuel Caughman in 1870, Mr. 
Caughman .soon began soliciting subscriptions to complete the 
building, and in 1S71 he had tlie satisfaction of knowing that 
his labors were not in vain. The house was finished and ded- 
icated soon afterwards by Revs. J. Hawkins and P. Derrick. 
Mr. Caughman took charge as pastor, but soon resigned and 
Mr. Kreps became pastor. In 1873 the other church, which 
was in this connection, was removed by Synod into another 
pastorate, leaving this one standing alone. Rev. E. Dufford 
then took it in charge. 

The foregoing are all the Lutheran churches in Edgefield 
County. The.se are all doing good work. Other pastors of 
late years have .served them besides those mentioned. Rev. C. 
P. Boozer is pastor of some. He has served .several years rs 
a Representative in the Eegislature from p:^dgefield County 
and re-elected in 1890. He was a Confederate soldier during 
the War of Sece.ssion, and lost an arm in the .service. He is a 
native of Newberry County and a graduate of Newberry 
College. 



3o6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXVIII. 

BAPTIST CHURCHES— RED BANK. 

This church was constituted in 1784, under the ministry of 
Rev. John Thomas. Rev. Mr. Norris, who had been impris- 
oned at Ninety-Six for preaching non-resistance during the 
Revohitionary War, succeeded him. Abram Ferguson, a 
brother of the celebrated Colonel Ferguson, who was killed at 
the battle of King's Mountain, was deacon. Henry King, a 
very eloquent man, next served as pastor. His brother. Rev. 
Joseph King, had charge of the church at the beginning of the 
War of 1 812, and was appointed Chaplain of Colonel George 
Butler's Regiment. The soldiers gave him the nick-name of 
"Cold Souse." Mumford Ferryman, who had been clerk, 
died in 1820. He was the grandfather of General Ferryman, 
of Texas, who was distinguished in the war between the States, 
and was, in 1891, one of the Judges of that State. The Ferry- 
mans and Travises were related. Colonel Wm. Travis, massa- 
cred at the Alamo, once belonged to Red Bank. 

Rev. John Landrum preached here from 181 2 to 1826. Mr. 
Landrum was a boy during the Revolution and lived near the 
Fine House. It is related that once while on his wa}- to mill 
with a bag of corn on horseback, a mischievous Torj- pushed 
the bag off and left him standing on the ground crying beside 
it. Years after the war this Tory returned to Edgefield on a 
visit; and then Mr. Landrum, no longer a little boy, but supe- 
rior in strength to his old tormentor, would have beaten him 
well, had he not been prevented by his friends. 

The leading members of Red Bank in 1826 were William 
Little, Fry or Dozier, Benjamin Culpepper, Eli House, and 
Zebulon Rudolph. At this time there were about twice as 
many women as men members of this church. Fatty Bohler, 
(Boulware), a Rutherford by birth, Lucy Jones, and Sophia 
Bonham were model Christian women. 

Rev. Basil Manly, father of Rev. Charles Manly, of Green- 
ville, often preached at Red Bank at this period. Mr. Manly 
married a daughter of Zebulon Rudolph, who was clerk of this 
church for many years. Mr. Rudolph removed to Alabama, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 307 

and Major William Daniel was elected clerk. Major Daniel is 
said to have been rather odd, but his oddities did not detract 
from his worth as a good man, and he was much esteemed. 
Rev. S. D. Worthington was pastor in 1833. Then Rev. 
Zedekiah Watkins. Rev. James F. Peterson took charge of 
the church in 1S36 and was pastor 42 years. Red Bank en- 
joyed much prosperity during his long pastorship. 

Thomas Bartley, the oldest member, and a Revolutionary 
soldier, died 1 6th September, IS54, agecl 103 years. He had 
been an orderly member of the church for a long time. Sep- 
tember 14th, 1856, Mrs. Rebecca Edvvards died. Her son, 
William Edwards, who was an esteemed deacon, left eight 
sons. He had the satisfaction of seeing them all baptized at 
Red Bank before he died. John Mobley, the oldest deacon of 
Red Bank, died December 3rd, 1S57. He was the father of 
Dr. W. S. Mobley. In 1869 109 persons were baptized at this 
place, and 84 the next year. R-ev. James F. Peterson died 
June loth, 1881. He was born in Newberry County, October 
2ist, 1796, and was baptized at Good Hope, in Edgefield, by 
Rev. Jones W. Coleman. Not long after his baptism he 
began to preach, and his preaching was attended v/ith remark- 
able success. Mr. Peterson was a striking example of what 
men of moderate abilities and bearing can accomplish, when 
they are thoroughly consecrated and devoted to the work in 
which they are engaged. Rev. James Carson was pastor in 1891 . 

Thomas Bartley just mentioned as the oldest member and as 
a Revolutionary soldier was also a Baptist preacher and settled 
the place where Clyde's Chapel now stands — died at the age 
of 103. His son, Thomas Bartley, died at the age of 90 years 
near Johnston. He died in a large brick house built by Rev. 
Henry Herlong. He left surviving him among other children, 
Thomas Bartley and John Bartley. John Bartley lives on the 
farm where his father died. Mrs. Elisabeth Leppard was a 
member of Red Bank and died at the age of 106 years. A 
monument beside this church marks the last resting place of 
Rev. James F. Peterson. 

DRY CREEK. 

On March 5th, 1804, the brethren, Jolin Eandrum, Samuel 
Marsh, Henry King, and Thomas DeEoach, met at Dry Creek 
according to a call of Cloud's Creek Church and formed 



-308 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

themselves into a Presbytery to view the standing of the above 
place for constitution. Their strength being approved the 
church was constituted and Levi Kirkland was appointed 
deacon. Rev. Thomas DeLoach did most of their preaching 
from 1804 until 1820, and now fills an unknown, unmarked 
grave in the churchyard. What a pity! He was the father 
of the late Alison DeLoach, of Red Bank, and Mr. Thomas 
DeLoach, who lived near John.ston. Since the death of Mr. 
DeLoach Dry Creek has been remarkable for the short terms 
of its pastors. Stanton S. Burdett, William B. Villard, 
Prescott Bush, and John Windsor preached from 1820 to 1830. 
The Cogburns, Barontons, Martins, Bushes, Rottens, Rabuns, 
and Cachrofts were the principal members at this period. 
February 26th, 1S30, Rev. William Watkins was ordained at 
Dry Creek by William B. Villard, Joseph Norris, and John 
Windsor. He was called to serve as pastor shortly after. The 
church was much reduced in 1832. February 2nd, 1S34, 
John Lott was elected clerk and the record began to be kept in 
splendid order. William Watkins ser^'ed as pastor until 1840, 
when he returr.ed to Orangeburg. He vras succeeded by Rev. 
James F. Peterson. Mr. Peterson serve I two years. Then Rev. 
Henry A. Williams had charge of the church until he was 
succeeded by Rev. A. P. Norris in 1849. Then came the 
.short terms of Revs. A. B. Couch, Zedekiah Watkins, and 
Mr. Merrltt. Mr. Merritt was pastor during the War of 
■Secession. Dry Creek had reached the zenith of its prosperity. 
The congregations were large and man 3' of the church mem- 
bers were wealthy and noted for their culture and elegant 
hospitality. Rev. George Bell, a local preacher, who belonged 
to this church, did mivrh of their preaching from iS_|.o until 
1S65. Mr. Bell was born at Mount \A'illing in May 1802 and 
died near Batesburg in August 18S1. INIr. Bell was an extra- 
ordinary man in man)' respects and was noted for his financial 
ability — a rare quality in a minister of the Gospel. After the 
war Captain J. W. Denny became clerk. Captain Denny died 
in 1885 or 1 88 6, and since his death Mr. P. B. Watson has 
b^een clerk. Rev. Mr. Bradford was pastor in 1892. 

Dry Creek has regained of late years much of its former 
prosperity and nov; occupies a v,'orth\' position among the 
churches. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIKLD. 309. 

SARDIS 

Sardis was constituted in 1S04. Its record has been so 
imperfectly kept that at this date we can give no account of it 
for thirty years except by tradition. And the tradition is 
that Wilham Ferguson was pastor from 1804 until the War of 
1812. He first lived at the place where 2\lv. John McCart}' 
was living in 1S21, but after the death of his brother Abrani 
he bought his plantation and moved to the place afterwards- 
known as Denn5''s. Soon after this he retired from the min- 
istrj', took an interest in public affairs and became a politician. 

The original place of worship at vSardis was a mile or two. 
northwest of the present church on a little stream known as 
Cedar Creek. Rev. Henry King and his brother Joseph King 
both sometimes preached at Sardis, but Sardis and the county 
lost them by their emigration to Alabama. 

David Peterson, an elder brother of Rev. James F. Peterson, 
was pastor about the year 1825. He w^as a native of New- 
berry. He married a widow Strother, sister of James Rich- 
ardson, of Richardson ville, and mother of Major William A. 
Strother. 

Robert Corley succeeded Mr. Peterson. Mr. Corley died in. 
the prime of life and his funeral was preached by Richard Todd,, 
at that time one of the most prominent ministers in the State. 
Rev. B. F. Corley is a son of Rev. Robert Corley. 

Rev. Zedekiah Watkins was pastor in 1835 and Dr. R. G> 
Mayes, son of General Samuel Maj^es, was clerk. Benjamin. 
Etheredge and Nathaniel Corley were the ordained deacons. 
Miller, a slave belonging to Jacob B. Smith, and Abram, a 
servant of Rev. A. S. Dozier, were elected deacons or overseers 
of the colored members at the .same time. No church has ever 
taken more interest in the spiritual welfare of the negroes 
than Sardis. 

A host of good old Edgefield names are to be found on the 
roll of Sardis at this period, theDennys, Etheredges, Edwards, 
Clarks, Matthews, Corleys, Eongs, Hardys, Padgetts, Mayeses, 
Smiths, and Lamars all were members of this church. 

Rev. Mark Abney succeeded Mr. Watkins as pastor, and 
then Henry A. Williams occupied the pulpit. 

One cannot fail to be impressed with the small salaries these 
faithful old mini.sters received for their services, when several 



3IO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

members of the church were worth, at a moderate estimate, 
over fifty thousand dollars each. Henry C. Bartley was pastor 
from 1850 to i860, when the church called Rev. James F, 
Peterson who served until 1874. 

Then Revs. Joab Edwards, N, N, Burton, Milton Norris, 
and M. D. Padgett followed each other in quick succession. 

Colonel David Denny, who was elected clerk in 1842, died 
in 1879. J. B. Eowards, a pious and highly cultured young 
man, then filled the position. He died in a short time and 
J. B. Edwards was elected to succeed him. Rev. James A. 
Carson was pastor in 1S91. 

PHILIPPI. 

PhiHppi is a member of "The Ridge" Baptist Association 
and is situated about five miles southeast of Johnston and 
about the same distance northeast of Trenton. This church 
was constituted in the year 1314. When first constituted it 
was located on Bull Branch about three miles South of the 
present site. Its membership at first was twenty-five, three 
of whom were negroes. Revs. Thomas DeLoach, Francis 
Walker, and John Landrum were the ministerial Presbyter}- 
that constituted the church. Who was first pastor is not now 
known, the record not showing but Thomas DeEoach, Pres- 
cott Bush, Benjamin Still, and Peter Gallowaj^ preached ibr 
the church at different times. Joshua Monk was the first 
clerk. David Foshee and Benjamin Medlock were ordained 
deacons in March 1816. Joshua Monk and Enock Phelps in 
July 1819 by Messrs Carson, Howell, Benjamin Still, and 
Prescott Bush. Jacob Whitehead and Joshua Monk, Zechariah 
Claxton, Samuel Posey, Anselm Cullam, Jesse Williams, E. 
W. Home, C. A. Home, William Howard, Jackson Holmes, 
and W. H. Timmerman have filled the position; the last name 
having served in that capacity continuously since 1862. 

In September, 1823, the church membership numbered 21 — • 
a little less than when constituted. In 1829 William Bloods- 
worth and Zechariah Claxton were made deacons by a Presby- 
tery composed of Revs. John Galloway and Peter Galloway. 
In 1833 William Johnson and Anselm Cullam were ordained 
deacons by Revs. 'Peter Galloway and Joseph Norris. Absalom 
Home was made deacon in 1834 and given authority to exhort 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 3II 

in public. Deacon William Johnson was ordained to the 
gospel ministry in August, 1835, and Deacon Absalom Home 
in June 1842 b}' Revs. Joseph Norris, H. Prescott, and Wil- 
liam Johnson. Ansel Devore, James A. Howard, William 
Toney, E. W. Home, C. A. Home, Malachi Cogburn, Ham- 
mond Cumbee, h. B. Smith, H. W. Jackson, Winfield Scott, 
T. H. Derrick, and J. O. Johnson have all served as deacons. 

Rev. Peter Galloway is the first pastor of whom we have 
any record, though he was doubtless preceded by others. Rev. 
William Johnson was called in 1845, and served for .several 
years. Since then the pastors have been H. A. Williams, 
Absalom Home, Elijah W. Home, Edward F. Kendall, James 
A. Woodward, Henry T. Bartley, Dr. William B. Shaw, W. 
T Hundley, and J. C. Brown, who has been serving the 
church for the last seven years. Elijah W. Home was ordained 
to the ministry at Philippi in May 1857 by Revs. A. W. Asbill 
and Absalom Home, and was pastor at the time of his death, 
January 2nd, 1883. He was stricken with paralysis at a 
Union Meeting at Ridge Spring on December 31st, 1882, 
while on the floor talking to the children on the subjects of 
death and the resurrection. He never spoke after he was 
stricken. He was a graduate of Furman University, and 
attended the Baptist Theological Seminar}' two years, r He 
was a good preacher; an active, working Christian, and a 
patriotic citizen. If I mistake not, lie was Captain of a com- 
pany in the Nineteenth South Carolina Volunteers during the 
War of Secession. I was in a company in the same regiment 
and saw him sometimes and heard him mentioned as a good 
officer, a brave soldier and a pious man. 

Revs. Hundley and Brown are the only two of Philippi's 
pastors living in 1891. Mr. Brown is a graduate of Mercer 
University. It is .said that he preached without notes or 
manuscript before him — a practice which should be followed 
b}' all who stand in the pulpit to speak to the souls of men. 
Eet the living Word be spoken by the living voice. 

There is one incident in the history of this church, which^ 
happily, is not common to all the churches. In 1855 ^ citizen 
of the community, who had been selling liquors under a 
license for several years near the church, was prevented from 
obtaining license after the expiration of that under which he 



312 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

was then selling. Whereupon, he, supposing that the church 
had no title to the land upon which the building stood, built 
a fence around the house with new rails and forbid entrance. 
He was, of course, prosecuted for the act, and after av/hile 
was glad to cotiipromise the matter by giving a warranty title 
to the church of two acres of land additional, and b}^ paying 
all costs. Better still, he afterwards mended his ways and 
became a member of Philippi Church. 

This church is t-itua'xd in a thickly peopled section of 
country. The people are not wealthy, but they are better 
than being only wealthy in worldly goods — they are sober, 
industrious, and well to do in ever}- respect. 

BETHANY. 

This church was constituted December 2nd, 1809, by Revs. 
Amos Dubose, Enoch Brazeal, and Robert Marsh, wdth eight 
members from P'ellowship and Plum Branch Churches, viz. : 
Garrett Ivongmire, John Chiles, George Coleman, Elizabeth 
Barrett, Winnefor For...'f s >:!, Francis Henderson, Francis 
Davidson, Abigail Jay. Rev. Amos Dubose was first pastor 
and served till the end of the year 1824. Earkin Cason was 
first clerk, serving until 1S29. John Eongmire was made 
deacon in 18 16 — the first recorded. There was a great revival 
in 18 10. This revival v/as followed by a state of lukewarm- 
ness, as it appears from the records that only seven persons 
were baptized into the church from the close of 18 10 to the 
first of 1829. The church then took on new life and had great 
revivals for several years. Many were added to the church by 
baptism, some of whom were negroes. For three years there 
were revivals each 3'ear, and they have continued at intervals 
to the present time. 

This church united with the Edgefield Baptist Association 
in 1810. Rev. R. M. Todd was pastor from some time in 1S25 
to the end of 1831, with the exception of an inten-al from 
January to August, 1828, during which time a Rev. Mr. 
Roberts was pastor. The church 'licensed Henry Casper and 
Washington Belcher to preach in 18 10, and ordained Henry 
Casper in 181 1. 

William Chiles was made clerk in 1829 and served to 1841. 
James M. Chiles was licensed to preach in 1830, and was 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 313 

ordained in 1832. At the same time John Chiles was ordained 
deacon. Rev. James M. Chiles became pastor in 1832, and 
served as such until the close of 1S44. Under him the church 
prospered— had several great revivals— and also the Sunday- 
school cause was revived. Littleton A. Brooks was ordained 
deacon in 1833. John Anderson was made clerk in 1841, served 
till 1845, and was succeeded by \V. B. Brannan, who served to 
1847. Richard P. Quarles was clerk from 1847 to 1850. 

Rev. William Royal became pastor in 1S45, and .served until 
the close of the year 1848. During the year 1849 Rev. A. P, 
Norris was pastor the first Sunday and the day before in each 
montli; Rev. James Shadrack fourth Sunday in each month. 

In 1S50 tliere was a new house of worship built at Shinburg 
muster ground, near Longmire's postofFice. The old meeting 
house, which was on the road from Edgefield Court House to 
Abbeville Court House, and about midway between Hard 
Labor and Cuffeetown Creeks, was sold and the church moved 
into the new house of worship. Rev. John Trapp was made 
pastor in 1S50, and Rev. James Shadrack was ordained to the 
Gospel ministry the same year, and during the same year 
Joseph L. Talbert was made clerk. 

Rev. John Trapp served as pastor to the close of 1 874. Under 
his administration the churcli prospered— he was greatly be- 
loved and was finally compelled to resign on account of age 
and infirmities incident thereto. Hezekiah Edwards and Peter 
Quattlebaum v/ere made deacons in 1854. John G. Thornton 
was made deacon in 1863, and in the same year R. W. Sey- 
mour was ordained to preach, and called to preach one Sunday 
in each month, as an assistant to Rev. John Trapp, the regular 
pastor. 

•■ The clerk of the church. Joseph E. Talbert, was killed on 
Maryland Heights at the capture of Harper's Ferry in 1862. 
George J. Sheppard was then made clerk, and served until 
1869., when he and Orlando Sheppard were ordained dea- 
cons. W. PI. Yeldell was made clerk, which position he still 
fills (1894). Rev. R. W. Seymour became pastor in 1875, and 
served until the end of 1877. Rev. A. G. Collier was called, 
and served as pastor 1878 and 1879. Rev. B. F. Miller served 
the years 1S80, 1881, and 1882. Under Mr. Miller the church 
prospered, and many were added to the membership. J. T. 



314 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

White and A. L. Bushnell were ordained deacons in 18S2. 
Rev. J. K. Fant was pastor during the year 1883. Rev. B. F. 
Miller was again called, and served as pastor from June, 1884, 
to the end of 1885. The church ordained Rev. J. S. Manardis 
to the ministry in 1885. 

Rev. J. S. Jordan was pastor during the 3'ears 1886 and 
1887, and was ver}^ successful in his labors. 

H. Q. Talbert, L. D. White, C. W. Burress, and W. A. 
Cheatham were ordained deacons in 1887. 

The histor}' of this church was sent me by J. T. White. 

BETHEL. 

The records prior to the year 1853 have been lost or mis- 
laid, so that it is now impossible to give a complete history of 
this church. An imperfect sketch can only be given from the 
recollections of the older members. 

Flat Rock, situate at Flat Rock, a large slioal of rock about 
four miles from Ridge and seven miles from the present site of 
Bethel, was the first Baptist Church in this section. There 
lived near here two or three femilies named Walker, who 
were Baptists, and one Fowler was a preacher. These, with a 
few other Baptists at a distance, (the country was thinly set- 
tled then,) formed a church, as near avS I can learn, about the 
year 1805. A few years afterwards the Walkers, and som.e 
others who lived near, moved West, and the church languished. 
In 1820 Mr. L,ambkin and a few others, who lived near where 
Bethel now (1892) is, and whose membership had previously 
been at Flat Rock, built a church at a place on the Columbia 
and Augusta public road, known as Double Branches, and 
christened it "Bethel." Whether this church was a continu- 
ance of Flat Rock, in the absence of records, is not known 
positively, but it is thought to be. At any rate, all the members 
of Flat Rock came to Bethel. This church has a noble record. 

The first pastor was Cyrus Howel, whose name is still fre- 
quently mentioned by the oldest Christians. He was succeeded 
by such men as Revs. Brooker, Watkins, Asbill, Shaw, and 
others, whose names and memories are fondly cherished by a 
grateful and loving people. 

The first church building was replaced by a handsome edifice 
in 1862. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 315 

From Bethel has sprung entirely the noble Ridge Church, 
and largely the Batesburg Church, and also the Bethlehem 
Church. 

RICHLAND SPRING 

Baptist Church was organized August 12th, 1859, under the 
ministry of Rev. H. T. Bartley. 

The first deacons were Major Josiah Padgett and Mr. Luke 
Rodgers. 

The pastors who have succeeded Mr. Bartley in charge of 
this church are: Rev. H. Jones, Rev. \V. W. Burton, Rev. 
W. D. Padgett, and Rev. J. A. Carson. 

I am not informed as to the number of the membership at 
this time, December, ,1892. 

DAMASCUS 

Baptist Church is located in the northern part of Gray 
Township, one-half mile from the line dividing Edgefield from 
Abbeville, and between Phoenix postoffice and Gaines' post- 
office. Old Damascus Church stood about one mile north of 
the present church, in Abbeville County, near Phoenix, and 
previous to 1831 the house was used as a union meeting house 
by the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. In 1S31 the 
Baptists organized a church with twelve ujembers, and called 
Rev. James Chiles to the pastorate, who served the church 
until 1840, when he was succeeded Vjy Rev. John Trapp, who 
ser\'ed until 1S56. During the later years of Rev. Trapp's 
pastorate the present church building was erected on a lot 
donated by Nathaniel Henderson. Since 1S56 the church has 
been served bj- the following pastors: Rev. William P. Hill, 
1857-1862; Rev. Basil Manly, Jr., 1863-186S; Rev. W. B. 
Jones, 1 869-1 873; Rev. R. M. Sanders, 1874; Rev. Jno. H. 
Dargan, 1875-1S76; Rev. M. E. Broadus, 1877; Rev. J. S. 
Jordan, 1878-1890; Rev. Thomas Campbell, 1S91; Rev. J. T. 
B. Anderson, 1892; Rev. J. E- Ouzts, 1893. 

The following have served as clerks since the organization 
of the church: Dr. Thomas Lake, 1831-1838; Felix Lake, 
1839; Elias Lake, 1840; Robert Turner, 1841; N. Henderson 
to 1868; W. H. Stallvvorth, 1869-1883; J. M. Gaines, 1884- 
1893. 

Treasurers: S. J. Burnett, 1858; \V. H. Stallworth, to 



31 6 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD, 

1868; George R. Cakhvell, 1869-1876; J. H. Burnett, 1877- 
1S78; A. C. Stalhvorth. 1879-18S4; J. O. Watson, 1SS5-1S93. 

Deacons: Thomas I^ake, 1831-187-; Riissel Vaughn, 1832- 
1854; Felix lyake, 1S39-1S40; Elias Lake, 1841-1853; J. S. 
Burnett, 1856-18S9; Johnson Sale; Willis Ross, 1863-1871; 
W. H. Stalhvorth, 1866-1893; George R. Caldwell, 1866- 
18S7; J. H. Burnett, 1866-1893; H. B. Maxwell, 1S78- 
1893; P- H. Adams, 1 878-1 893; J. S. Watson, 1 885-1 S93; 
J. M. Gaines, 18S5-1893; Z. P. Henderson, 1889-1893. 

In 1866 the colored members withdrew from the church and 
formed Damascus Colored Church. The}- have a very neat 
church building standing about one-quarter mile from the 
white church. 

In 1868 Damascus withdrew from the Edgefield Association 
to join other churches in the formation of the Abbeville x\sso- 
ciation and the first meeting of the new Association was held 
with Damascus Church in that 3'ear. 

The church has had a steady and healthy growth and now 
numbers 118 members. 

J. M. GAINES, Church Clerk. 

JOHNSTON. 

The church at Johnston was organized on the 21st da}- of 
February, 1875, in the Johnston Academy after preaching b}- 
Rev. W. A. Pearson. 

The following are the names of the members who united in 
organizing the church at that time: Jesse M. Cogburn, Ed- 
ward J. Minis, M. D. , Benjamin S. Cogburn, Jeter W. Crim, 
Nathan G. Carwile, Augustus C. Mobley, Edward A. Mims, 
M. H. Mims, Mrs. Z. L. Carwile, Mrs, E. J. Minis, Mrs. A, 
C. Mobley, Mrs. W. E. Coleman, Sr. , Mrs. Jesse M. Cogburn, 
Mrs. J. W. Crim, Miss S. C. Carwile, Mrs. W. S. Mobley, 
Miss P. E. Mims. Total, 18. Rev. Luther Broadus was 
pastor in 1875, Rev. W. J. Alexander, D. D., 1876-1877; Rev. 
Richard FuT man, D. D., 1878-1879; Rev. W^ T. Hundley, 
1880, closing November 1892; Rev. W. E. Parish began his 
pastorate July ist, 1893. 

The church membership July 1893 numbered 175 and pays 
the pastor $750 and furnishes a parsonage rent free. The 
annual contributions of this church to missions, education, and 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 317 

Other benevolent purposes are from $500 to $700. The church 
is in a healthy and growing condition. 

EDGEFIELD. 

This church was organized in 1S23 with 23 members. Rev. 
Basil Manly, D. D., was first pastor; he also wrote the Con- 
stitution of the church. The deacons were A. B. IMcWhorter 
M. M. Minis. 

Since the resignation of Dr. Manly to accept a call to the 
First Church in Charleston this church has had as pastors Rev. 
James A. Warren, 1827; Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D., 1830- 
1852; Rev. J. M. Chiles, 1851; Rev. C. A. Raymond, 1853- 
1854; Rev. E. h. Whatley, 1855-1856; Rev. L. R. Gwaltney, 
1858-1868; Rev. Luther Broaddus, 1869-1875; Rev. W. J. 
Alexander, 1876-1877; Rev. W. T. Hundley, 1878-1882; Rev. 
H. A. Whitman, 1882-1S86; Rev. T. D. Clark, 18S6-18S8; 
Rev. G. L. Hunt, D. D., 1888-1S90; Rev. I. N. Booth, 1891- 
1S93. 

In July 1S93 the church, after the resignation of Mr. Booth 
again called Rev. L,. R. Gwaltney, D. D., who accepted and 
began his work there September ist of that year. The church 
Avas fortunate in securing the services of this eminent divine. 
He was much loved during his first pastorship and is an 
earnest worker in his Master's vineyard. 

The following is a list of names of the constituent members 
of this church at the organization in 1823: Matthew Minis, 
Arthur Simkins, Sr. , A. B. McWhorter, Henry Lowe, Abner 
Whatley, Wiley Melton, Patience Addison, Elisabeth Milton, 
Isabel A. Drysdale, Phyllis Whatley, Margaret Pixley, Ann 
Lane, Eliza A. Drysdale, Martlia Minis, Sabra Jeter, E. M. 
McWhorter, Ridley Gray, Eliza Minis, the last survivors, Mary 
L. Drysdale, Bettie Tutt, Sarah Drake, Mary Tutt. Bethany 
Blease, Pudence Martin, Elizabeth Youngblood, Winfred 
Ferguson, 

For this sketch I am indebted to Mr. J. Leslie Andrews, of 
Kirksey's, Edgefield County, S. C. 

MOUNTAIN CREEK. 

From tlie best information obtained, the record having been 
lost, this church was organized in 179S. A few years before 



3l8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

the church was organized a school was established and a school 
house was built where the church now stands. 

Rev. N. W. Pledges, a missionary emplo5-ed b)' the Edge- 
field As.sociation and laboring in its bounds, made an appoint- 
ment to preach at this school house. He saw that it was a 
prosperous neighborhood and had the prospect of becoming a 
centre of influence. He went to work with zeal and energ}- 
and for several years continued to preach in the school house. 
In due time the fruits of his labor began to show. Quite a 
nuuiber manifested a desire to unite with a Baptist church. A 
few of the meyil^ers of Little Stevens Creek Church joined the 
brethren at the school house and organized a church. The}' 
then went to work and built a log house in which to worship. 
The church Avas not supplied regularly, but Mr. Hodges 
continued to preach there occasionally. The church grew 
rather slowly for some years, but in 1829 a revival was expe- 
rienced by the little church and also through the neighbor- 
hood. Among the number converted was John Trapp, a 
young man from Fairfield County, who was then teaching in 
the neighborhood. He was a 3'oung man of great promise 
and the church gave him all the encouragement possible. He 
soon applied for license to preach, but he continued to teach 
.school also until 1833, when he was ordained to the niinistr}^ 
and laying aside all else, gave his whole life to preaching the 
gospel. The church grew slowly, moving steadily on without 
any special revival, until about the year 1S40, when many 
were converted and joined. 

Needing a larger house the people now put up a good frame 
building. About the same time, the year 1840, several mem- 
bers obtained letters of dismissal, moved about ten miles north- 
west and organized Damascus Baptist Church, Note this if 
there should be nothing more said about Damascus. 

The church grew and prospered until, in the year 1852, 
there was a gracious revival, eighty new members being bap- 
tized and a number restored. Among those baptized was 
Theophilus Williams, who was soon ordained to the ministr}-. 
He lived only ten 3'ears after this. 

At this time IMountain Creek was one of the strongest 
churches in the northern part of the Association, the member- 
ship being (colored people were then included j over five 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 319 

hundred. In 1S56 a number of the members branched off and 
organized Olive Branch Baptist Church. Note this also? 

In 1859 there was another revival, and sixty persons pro- 
fessed religion and were baptized. 

During the Civil War the church suffered great loss in mem- 
bership and financially. But in 1866 there was another great 
revival, and ninety-eight were baptized and five restored. 
This meeting lasted seventeen days and was conducted, by 
Rev. John Trapp, who received some help from a Methodist 
minister living near the church. 

Though beginning to feel the feebleness of age, Mr. Trapp 
continued to preach, when able, "without money and without 
price." He died August 27th, 1876, having been pastor con- 
tinuously from 1834, with the exception of the years 1855 and 
1856. He was succeeded by Rev. R. W. Seymour, who was 
pastor for four years. 

Towards the close of Mr. Seymour's ministration the church 
had grown somewhat cold in the religious life; but in 1881 that 
earnest and zealous man, Rev. J. K. Fant, was called and 
accepted the call to the church. He had hard work to do, but 
his labors were blessed and he soon brought the members to 
realize the fact that they had work to do. He preached two 
Sabbaths each month, and Saturday before each fourth Sab- 
bath. His salary was $300.00. 

During Mr. Fant's term of service many changes were 
made. The old box pulpit was removed and a nice stand put 
in its place. Suitable furniture was provided, and a stove, 
and an organ, and other improvements were made. All this 
was largely the work of the women. The^^ organized also a 
flourishing "Ladies' Aid Society." During the 3'ear the 
church gave to State Missions fifty dollars; thirty to Foreign 
Missions, and thirty to ministerial education. During this 
5^ear, 188 1, in August, a series of meetings were held, in 
which the pastor was assisted by Rev. H. C. Smart. A re- 
vival was had, eight backsliders were restored, and thirty-four 
were added to the church by baptism. 

Mr. Fant was pastor four years, and during that time eleven 
w^ere restored to fellowship and seventy-six were baptized. A 
Sunday-school was also established. 

In February, 1885, Mr. Fant resigned the charge. He was 



320 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

succeeded b)- Rev. J. F. McMillan, of North Carolina. During 
the eight months of this j^ear, 1885, he gave all his time to 
the church at a salary of $500.00. Through 1886 and 1887 he 
gave his whole time. In 1 888 two Sabbaths in each month. 

The Sunday-school was reorganized in 1868, and did fairly 
good work under Superintendents D. A. J. Bell, J. W. Aiton, 
W. L. Durst, R. T. Strom, J. M. Rambo. In the spring of 
1887 the Sunday-school was reorganized and worked with 
greater zeal than ever before, with J. Leslie Andrews superin- 
tendent. In 18S7 the school contributed fifty-six dollars for 
missions, incidentals, &c., and increased in giving from year 
to year, till in the year 1890 one hundred and ten dollars were 
raised by the school. 

In 1888 Mr. McMillan resigned the pastorate, and Rev. 
B. F. Miller was called. He accepted the call in January, 
1890, and served the church two Sabbaths in each month, 
until April, 1S91, when he was compelled to resign on account 
of ill health. After a long and painful illness he passed to a 
better world. 

In July, 1891, Rev. J. T. B. Anderson, of Barnwell, was 
called. He remained pastor during that year. In Januarj-, 
1892, the church called Rev. J. P. Mealing for two Sundays 
in each month. He served them during the year. At this 
time, 1893, Rev. J. L. Ouzts, of Mountain Creek, a graduate 
of Furman University, is preaching to the church. Through 
Mr. Fant's influence he was induced to study lor the 
ministry. 

BETHLEHEM. 

This church was constituted October 14th, 1853, by a 
Presbytery consisting of tlie Revs. J. A. Carter and S. P. 
Getzen, with a membership of four males and eight females. 

Rev. J. A. Carter was first pastor to May 24th, 1856, when 
Rev. P. F. Burgess was elected. Mr. Burgess served three 
years, when Rev. W. h. Hames was elected. May 22nd, 1S58. 

There was no conference from August 24th, i86i,toJuly 
24th, 1864, at which time Rev. J. P. Mealing was elected. 
Mr. Mealing served the church until January nth, 1885. 
Rev. J. A. Bell served from latter date for two years; Rev. 
J. L. Ouzts, during the year 1887; Rev. Wm. M. Verdery, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 32 1 

1888; Rev. E. \V. Sammons, 1889 and 1890; Rev. G. H. Bur- 
ton, 1891, 1892, and 1893. 

Present membership of Bethlehem, sixteen males and 
eighteen females. 

PLEASANT LANE. 

This church was organized and dedicated as a Baptist Church 
in May, 1837, with but few members, but in course of time 
there was as many as 100 members, and was served by such 
ministers as Revs. Brunson, Z. Watkins, Abner Asbill, H. A. 

Williams, Getzen. Rev. Mark Abney was serving 

this church at the time of his death, "one of our very best 
ministers" and a near relation of the writer of this history. 

Rey Asbill also was serving the church at the time of 

his death. All these men were faithful and good laborers — all 
have passed to their eternal rest. 

At the close of the war the church membership was very 
small, and the white population around being very sparse, the 
land nearly all being owned by a few persons and tenanted by 
negroes, early in the year 1868 the members thought it best 
that they should dissolve Pleasant Lane and join other 
churches, which they did. 

The church property was then claimed and recovered by the 
Landrum estate. It was then immediately sold to the colored 
Baptists to be used by them as a church. The church has, at 
this date, August, 1893. about one thousand members. 

For this account of Pleasant Lane I am indebted to Mr. 
Lemuel Corley, communicated through Rev. G. A. Wright. 
GOOD HOPE. 
This church wjs constituted in the year 1804 by Henry 
King, Chesley Davis, and W^illiam Eddins. The membership 
was small. 

The pastors have been Chesley Davis, William vStill, 

Todd, David Peterson, James F. Peterson, Jones W. Coleman, 

ProfHt, A. P. Norris, W. A. Gaines, N. N. Burton, J. F. 

McMillan, T. J. Rooke, and James A. Carson. There were 
possibly other pastors at short intervals. 

Rev. James A. Carson is pastor this August, 1S93, and the 
membership at this date is 289. 

This information is furnished by L. Rice, C. C. 



322 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

BIG STEPHENS CREEK. 

From the best information we can get, the earlier records 
having been lost, this church was organized by Rev^ Daniel 
Marshall as far back as 1769 or 1770, at any rate just before 
he established himself at Kiokee, across the river, which was 
in 1770. We find in Bolsford's Memoirs that he preached here 
in 1773, and there is no doubt that it was an established church 
at that time. There are no means now of ascertaining who 
was the first pastor. I^ike most churches of that day it was a 
long time from its organization to the time of having any 
regular supply. And like other churches, situated in neigh- 
borhoods of large plantations, where there were many negroes, 
its white membership was never large. Its present member- 
ship is made up in part of descendants of its earliest members. 

In March, 1854, Rev. Ivesun ly. Brooks -n^as pastor and 
had been for several years. He was noted not onl}- for his 
ability as a Gospel preacher, but for his learning and culture, 
and as an educator. 

G. W. Medlock and Dr. Timraerman. 

OLIVE BRANCH AND BOLD SPRING. 

Olive Branch Church was organized in 1855, ^'^^ dissolved 
iu 1878. 

Bold Spring was instituted in 1853, and is now, August 
2ist, 1893, a flourishing church of over 200 members. 

By James Callison. 

MOUNT LEBANON. 

This church, sometimes called Sweet Water from a refresh- 
ing spring near by, was constituted in loth month, 1832, and 
is situated near the line of Edgefield and Aiken Counties. 
Revs. Robert Carter and Thomas Morris weie the first pastors. 
Brethren John Curry and John Clerrel were the first deacons, 
and John P. Banks first clerk of the church. Number of 
original members, 32; present number, loi. Present pastor, 
Rev. J. M. White, with a long line of intervening pastors, 
among them Joseph Morris, Samuel Getzen, Wm. B. Shaw, 
J. P. Mealing, and Thos. Walker. 

By Dr. Timmerman. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 323 



XXIX. 

RED HILL. 

This church was constituted June 20th, 1S35, by Elders 
Samuel Cartledge and William Watkins, with the following 
members: William Watkins, pastor; Reuben Johnson and 
Erasmus McDaniel, deacons; Eevi McDaniel, clerk; members, 
Martin Rose, Sr. , Frederick McDaniel, Wm. Roberts, Sr. , 
Thos. Ford, Calvin Cox, Eady Rose, Judy Johnson, Henry 
Baugli, Anna McDaniel, Emilia McDaniel, Obedience McCar}-, 
vSealy Shinall, Caroline McDaniel, Elizabeth Holmes, Clarracy 
Roberts, Martha Cox, Orpha Forde, Ej'dia Parkman, Luc}^ 
Holmes, Elizabeth Collins, Patience Blalock — ten males, four- 
teen females. Not one of these is living at this date, Septem- 
ber 5th, 1893. 

July i8th, 1835, at the first conference, two were received 
by letter. August 15th, second conference, two wqvq received 
by baptism and three by letter. February 20th, 1836, first 
dismissal b}' letter. September 17th, 1S36. the first delegate 
was appointed to the Association, but no record as to where 
Association was held. 

Rev. W. Watkins was pastor from June, 1835, to 1S84. 
Discipline was strictly enforced during this time, and the 
membership increased very slowly. 

Rev. James Morris wras elected pastor in 1841. In 1842 a 
great revival is mentioned, but only one member was added to 
the church. Mr. Morris resigned in 1843 and Rev. D. D. 
Brunson was called. The same year Eewis Collins was elected 
clerk. 

In 1845 there was a great revival. During the meeting the 
pastor. Rev. D. D. Brunson, was assisted by Revs. Getzen, 
Kennedy, Abney, and Hughs. At this time Clerk Lewis 
Collins was made a deacon, and Samuel Scott elected clerk. 

Three were added to the church in 1S46. In the fall of 
1850 Rev. D. D. Brunson resigned, and Rev. David Bodie was 
elected pastor. In 1851 there was a protracted meeting of 
seven days in August, and several days again in September, 
at which 51 were added to the church by baptism, (and a large 



.324 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



number of negroes, ) but few of these are living to-day, Sep- 
.tember 5th, 1893. Protracted meetings were held in 1852, 
1853, 1854; and in 1855 Rev. D. D. Brunson was again called 
to the church. William Holmes and E. Bartley were elected 
deacons, and Captain W. F. Prescott was made clerk. 

Rev. S. P. Getzen was pastor the first half of 1856. (Was 
preaching until a pastor could be had.) Dr. T. M. Bailey filled 
the pulpit the remaining half of 1856 and the year 1857. Rev. 
Hams preached from 1857 to 1867 — 1867 W. B. Shaw was 
pastor to 1869. In 1869 Rev. G. W. Bussey was ordained, and 
preached '69 and '70; was again called for 1870 and 1871, but 
•declined, and attended the Seminary at Greenville, S. C, and 
Rev. McCrackin filled in the time for two years. 1873 the 
first mention of a stipulated salary for the pastor. During the 
entire pastorate of Rev. Bussey large additions are recorded. 
1877 Captain W. F. Presscott resigned clerk, serving 22 years; 
C. J. McDaniel made clerk 1877. W. L. McDaniel and R. M. 
Johnson were made deacons in 1878. In 1879 there w^ere 
thirty-five new additions to the church. In 18S2 H. W. 
Quarter, the present incumbent, was elected clerk. 

Rev. E. W. Samons, pastor during 1886; Rev. J. L,. Ouzts, 
pastor during 1887; Rev. J. J. Getsinger, pastor during 1888 
and 1889. Rev. G. W. Bussey again the pastor in 1890, and 
is still the pastor at this time, September, 1893. The church 
has now a membership of 167. The number has but a very few 
times exceeded the present, never reaching more than 175 or iSo. 

Some changes and improvements have been made in tlie 
building, so that it is somewhat different from the original 
.structure. It was ceiled and painted in 1882. An organ was 
bonglit in 1887, and in 1S8S and 18S9 the Ladies' Aid Societ}' 
supplied new seats. 

The church now needs a new building, the old one having 
served its tiraa, is considerably decayed and is entirely too 
small for the accotumodation of the congregations. At this 
writing, August 2r3t, 1893, a protracted meeting is in progress 
and promises to be very fruitful. 

So much for Red Hill Church. There is also a fine school 
at Red Hill, known as Red Hill Academy. It is an old school, 
having been in existence for a great many years, and it is at 
this time in a prosperous and flourishing condition. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 



325 



This sketch of Red Hill Baptist Church has been kindly 
furnished by Wyatt H. Seigler, Cold Spring, S. C. .through 
Dr. W. H. Timmerman. 

RED OAK GROVE. 

From information given by J. A. Prime, cle'-k, and for- 
warded to me by Hon. W. H. Timmerman, we learn that Red 
Oak Grove Church was constituted on the 15th day of Febru- 
ar}^ 1812, by a Presbytery composed of Revs. Samuel Marsh, 
John Blackston and Samuel Cartledge as appointed by the 
church. The church was constituted with 28 members who 
brought letters from Antioch and Callahan, (now Parksville; 
Churches. First pastor was Elisha Palmer and Dempsey 
Bussey and A. Bush vcere first deacons. The former deacon 
belonged to the Antioch Church and lived 8 miles from the 
church and usually walked the distance arid attended the con- 
ference meetings. He was the grandfather of the present 
pastor. Rev. G. W. Bussey, as well as one of the founders of 
Oak Grove Church. The church has undergone many 
changes, but there 5'et remains the works of our forefathers 
upon the old church book, which is sufficient proof that those 
who have gone before us loved their place of worship, and 
served Him, whose eye ever rests upon us in a way worthy of 
imitation. 

The church has had for its pastors Palmer B. Carson, S, 
Cartledge, William Watkins, L. Furbry, S. P. Getsen, W. L. 
Hawes, and for the the last 24 years Brother G. W. Bussey, 
with the exception of one year when Rev. Eddie Walker 
preached for it. 

This church began with 28 members. There have been at 
times as manj^ as 200 members. At present it numbers amongst 
its membership the Griffins, Dorns, Whatleys, Timmermans, 
Busseys, Princes, Thurmonds, Hon. W. J. Talbert, and many 
other good men and women. 

SALEM. 

The Baptist Church of Salem is situated in the Northerir 
portion of the county, known as the Saluda section, about 3 
miles from Bouknight's — Herbert's Ferry. The church was 
constituted in iSoo. This is as far as the records show, but 
tradition says that the church was in existence here prior to- 



326 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

that date. It was a place of worship before the Rovolutionary 
War. In the membership of that early date we find names 
still familiar in that section, viz.: Corleys, Kings, Colemans, 
Rileys, Wheelers, Havirds, Worthingtons, Merchants, Berrys, 
and Abneys. 

Rev. Samuel Worthington, whose name we find among the 
earliest students of Fiirman University, when that Institution 
was located on the high hills ot Santee, was received into the 
church in December 1824. 

The first pastor is not known. The name of Rev. Henry 
King is the first appearing on the record as pastor. Mr. King 
and his wife were received by letter in 18 ro, and he was called 
at once as pastor. T!ie pastors since Mr. King have been 
Revs. B. Still, D. Peterson, Robert Corley, Zedekiah Watkins, 
J. F. Peterson, J. W. Coleman, H. T. Bartley, and others 
until the present time. It is now supplied by Rev. M. D. 
Padgett. 

In 181 o there were qo members; in 1S34 there were 109; in 
1841, 83; in 1850, 52; from 1850 to 1867, 52; from 1867 to I878 
there v/as an increase of 10, showing 62 members in 1876. 
vSince that time the membership has fallen off, so that now, in 
1S93, there are only 33. This reduction was caused by expul- 
sions, deaths, and dismissals, but the principal cause Vv'as the 
advent of the Second Adventists into this section, many 
leaving and going into the new sect. 

Since the war this church has been supplied by Rev. Ij. 
O'Neall, now dead, W. A. Gaines, Joab Edwards, N. G. 
Cooner, N. N. Burton, and others. 

For some years this church has been aided in her work by 
the State Mission Board. The present church building was 
erected in 1837 — has been since repaired and improved. House 
and other church propert}^ valued at $800. 

In 1809 and in 18 10, and again in 1832 there were great and 
glorious revivals in this church. Ah me! why not have another 
and now? 

Pine Pleasant was organized or constituted about the j-ear 
1832 or 1833, and the house was built soon after. This was 
one of the fruits of that great religious wave that sw^ept over 
the whole county about that time. The preachers at Pine 
Pleasant who took an active part in the revival there were N. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 327 

W. Hodges, Samuel Worthington, — Barnes, aiid — Chiles — 
Dr. J. C. Ready was one of the converts and second pastor. 
The church has been served since by Revs. Jones W. Coleman, 
Watkins, — A. P. Norris at the close and during the war — 
James Carson since the war, and others whose names I cannot 
recall, as I write from memory. The church has sometimes 
been without a pastor — sometimes quite low in feeling and in 
membership, and sometimes quite zealous and healthy. 

CHESTNUT OR CHESTNUT RIDGE. 

This is an old church constituted by Revs. Robert Marsh, 
Samuel Marsh, and John Bolger in 1809. The Culbreaths, 
Scotch people, settled in that neighborhood in the year 1765. 
The house of worship was built not long after the church was 
constituted, it may be before, as the Culbreaths were religious 
people and did not choose to remain destitute of the ministry' 
of the Word. The first deacons were Thomas ScUrry, John 
Culbreath, and Thomas Christian. There was a church once 
on a hill near Mill Creek, Mine Creek, and near the Saluda 
Old Town, (also a schoolhouse, where A. P. Butler went to 
school when a boy,) but whether Chestnut Ridge took the 
the place of this, drew off the membership, and this was per- 
mitted to go down, I cannot say. Be this as it may, Chestnut 
Hill, or Chestnut Ridge, is one of the old churches of the 
county, and has at this time a good membership and is in a 
healthful condition. Some of the first and most prominent 
members of this church were William Smith, Sr., William 
Culbreath, Sr., William Marlow, Daniel Rodgers, Toliver 
Towles, Daniel Butler, and James Maynard. 

The church has been served as pastors by Revs. Mangum, 
William Watkins, Jones W. Coleman, James F. Peterson, and 
James Carson, nor is this all, but the records of the church are 
so broken that it is impossible to do more than I have done. 

Information given by the present clerk, Mr. Roton, 1894. 

Rocky Creek and Little Stevens Creek are mentioned in 
the sections on Fruit Hill, with same notice of their pastors 
and present condition. 

Mention is made also in that section of two Methodist 
Churches, Bethlehem and Gazzaway. 



328 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

* 

ANTIOCH. 

"Whereas on Saturday 24th of March, 1804, the Baptist 
Church at the Cross Roads appointed John Cogburn, Lewis 
TiUman, Stephen Norris, WilUam Howel Smith, Floyd Mitchel, 
Barkley Martin, and John Huffman to form rules for the 
government of the church to be presented at the next meeting 
for the inspection of the same. 

"Also to fix a name for the church to distinguish it from 
other cross road churches in the State." 

The above mentioned committee met at the meeting house 
on the 14th day of April and agreed on the name of Antioch 
for the church. 

There is in existence no further record of church proceedings 
until September 1830. Daniel Huff, C. C, John Cogbuni, C. C. 

William Moss, C. C, from 1833 to 1873; B. T. Mims, C. C, 
from 1873 to 1877; M. A. Mims, from 1877 to 1SS6; E. G. 
Talbert, C. C, from 1S86 to 1893. 

The E Igefield Baptist Association met here September 6th, 
1893, having met with tliis church only once before since the 
church was organized. That meeting was held about 40 years 
before as stated by the oldest members. The church record is 
silent on the matter. 

Two prominent Baptist ministers, R.ev. Mark M. Abne,v and 
Rev. D. D. Brunson were both members at Antioch and both 
are buried there. 

EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 

There are three Episcopal Churches is the county; one in 
the town of Edgefield; one in the direction of Ninety-Six, and 
about twelve miles from that place. This church was erected 
under the aupices of Mrs. Brooks, the mother of the Hon. 
P. S. Brooks, and widow of Whitfield Brooks, Esq. One of 
her sons. Colonel J. H. Brooks, now (1893) owns the property 
and lives near the church. 

There is also one other in the count}', situated at Trenton. 
There is one at Batesburg, on the line. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 

There is only one Catholic Church building in the count}-, 
and that is in the town of Edgefield, near and just north of the 
court house. This house is strong and substantial!}^ built of 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 329 

the best and most durable granite. Like all other structures 
built bj' Rome from the time Romulus laid her foundation 
until now, this house was made to outlast the ages. Rome 
and the Roman Church in the way of brilding do nothing 
poor. The Church tries always in material things to realize 
and make good the truth of the promise that the gates of hell 
shall not prevail again'tt it. 

SECOND ADVENTISTS. 

There is only one church of this denomination in the county, 
and that is situated a few miles from Butler Methodist Church. 
The congregation used the O'Neall Baptist Church building 
for some time after their organization, but they set about and 
soon succeeded in building a house of their own. 

The number of members in this church I do not know, nor 
whether they have a stated pastor. 

The church was organized about the j-ear 1883. 

THE UNIVERSALISTS. 

This denomination has one church and church building in 
the county. This is at Mount Enon, and has a membership 
of about three dozen zealous, active, and intelligent members. 
It was organized about the year 1885 by Rev. D. B. Clayton. 
There is no regular pastor, but the church is supplied from 
time to time by Revs. D. B. Clayton, Burruss, Thomas Chap- 
man, and Rev. Mr. Bowers is now pastor. 

These are all the denominations I believe. There are no 
Mennonites, Quakers, Tunkers, Swedenborgians, nor Chris- 
tians that I can now call to mind. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

With the introduction of the Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation into Edgefield began a new era. The testimonies of 
ministers, lawyers, physicians, and business men generalh*, 
have been sufficient evidence of this fact. 

Such being the case, some facts concerning it will not be out 
of place in this history. 

After two or three unsuccessful attempts at an organization 
of this kind, the present work was established first with simply 
a Young Men's Prayer Meeting, organized by seventeen Edge- 
field boys, January 19th, 1890. So great was the enthusiasm 



330 HISTORY OF EOGEFIELD. 

that a public meeting was conducted that night, and after re- 
marks by several of the leaders of the movement, a general 
hand-shaking followed. 

Over thirty public meetings were held during the year for 
the presentation of the work. Nor was the main object lost 
sight of, namely, work for j^oung men. The meetings for 
young men increased in numbers and in influence, daily; and 
the result can only be appreciated b}- a former resident of the 
town. Several conversions were the result during the first 
j-ear; and when the Association was finally visited by State 
and international secretaries, it was found, to the astonishment 
of all, that a bona fide "County Association Work" had sprung 
up unknown to the members themselves. The fact of its be- 
ing a "County Work" amply justifies the introduction of this 
sketch into a history of the county. No apologies are neces- 
sary for its introducton. This history of the county would be 
incomplete without it. 

Prior to this only three counties in the United States had 
attempted anything like organizing the Associations by coun- 
ties, with county conventions, county committees, county 
secretaries, &c. Here in Edgefield, while the young men 
were ignorant of v/hat was going on elsewhere, branches had 
been organized at four countr}' churches, and a constitution, 
for the government of all under one S3-stem, had been adopted. 

A county convention, the fifth ever held, was therefore 
called for February 2Sth, March isl and 2nd, 1S91. At this 
convention, besides delegates from the several branches in the 
county, there were present two international secretaries, one 
State secretary, three general secretaries, and one president. 
The convention was characterized by a display of enthusiasm, 
and yet of sound judgment worthy of any gathering of mere 
mortals. Indeed, the future outcome forces the belief upon 
the reflective mind that the Spirit of the Living God was pres- 
ent, quickening and guiding. 

The Convention elected a county committee of seven men, 
namely: A. S. Tomkins, Chairman; James T. Bacon, Secre- 
tary; A. J. Norris, Treasurer; Dr. J. W. Hill, W. E. Lynch, 
R. A. Marsh, and E. J. Mims, all of Edgefield. It was after- 
wards supplemented by W. Harling, of Meeting Street; J. W. 
Mitchell, of Batesburg; B. L- Caughman, of Mount Willing; 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 331 

Dr. J. H. Burkhalter, of Franklin; James L. Andrews, of 
Kirkseys, and Rev. A. B. Watson, of Edgefield. 

To this committee was given the supervision of the work in 
the county; and on May ist, 1S91, Mr. Mr. John Lake was 
employed as the only County Secretary then in the South. 

Mr. Robert Wiedensall, of Chicagp, the oldest Secretary of 
the International Committee, and the father of nearly all of 
the leading features of association work, as college work, 
railroad work, work among German speaking young'men, &c. , 
and who first conceived this plan of county work, wrote the 
the following in his annual report to the Ir.ternational Commit- 
tee, in New York. It was published in the Year Book for 1891 : 

"No service during the year afforded me more satisfaction, 
and promised more for the future, than the County Convention 
at Edgefield, S. C. It began on Saturday evening with one 
of the most impressive meetings I ever attended; and in this 
meeting the most solid testimony was given by responsible 
business men of the good work that had been done for the 
j'-oung men in the county. The services on Sunday were very 
complete in their interests and results. 

"At the Young Men's Meeting in the afternoon twenty-five 
fine looking young men rose for prayer; and a number of them 
accepted Christ in the after meeting. The topics were well 
discussed. The paper on 'County Work,' read by a lawyer, 
was excellent, and will be published in the minutes of the 
Convention, and will be a great help to the work. The Con- 
vention seemed like a miniature State Convention. A good 
county committee was appointed, with headquarters in Edge- 
field, the county town, where a working quorum, including 
the officers, resides. 

"The author of the paper referred to was made Chairman 
of the Committee; the strongest financial man of the place was 
made Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee; and 
the editor of the county paper was made Secretarj'. It was 
determined by the Committee to raise $5,000 to prosecute for 
the year a true county work. 

"This county is noted as one of the most difficult in South 
Carolina for Christian work; and it is a very significant fact 
that it should be the first one in the great South to take up 
this important phase of association effort. The International 



332 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Committee's plan of systematic giving for association extension 
was adopted by the Convention for the Association of the 
county. State Secretary Wynne was present at all the sessions 
of the Convention, and did all he could to make it a success." 

This movement is regarded as one of the most important 
steps in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association; 
and Edgefield County, ever forward in such movements as 
Nullification, Secession, and Red Shirtism in days gone by, has 
taken the front rank in this. There are now seven Young Men's 
Christian Associations fostered by this county organization. 

From the Edgefield Chronicle, February 21st, 1894: 

The daily papers throughout the State, as well as the local 
press of Sumter, have given glowing accounts of the recent 
Convention of South Carolina's Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciations. This gatheiing of eighty or ninety picked men from 
the Associations of the State was a model of harmony, enthu- 
siasm and spirituality. The subjects relating to the work 
were abl}' discussed ; the Bible studies and devotional services 
were strengthening and ennobling; and everything was con- 
ducted in a business-like manner that reflected credit upon all 
connected with it. 

Edgefield was represented by four delegates, and the work 
iu our town and throughout our county made a most encour- 
aging showing when the reports were called for. County 
Y. M. C. A. Work, as conducted in our count}', is regarded 
as a model for the other counties of our State, and indeed for 
the entire nation. 

Reports received from various points in the count}- since the 
Convention are exceedingly gratifying. At the last meeting 
heard from, at Good Hope, about 75 young men were present. 
Mt. Willing was visited last week, and new life has been in- 
fused into the work there. 

In our town on Sunday last there were 23 at the young 
men's meeting, 16 at the boy's meeting, and over two hun- 
dred at the public service at night. During the same day a 
committee from the Association visited the jail, while a similar 
committee has been appointed to visit the Poor House at stated 
periods. The Bible classes are still doing good work, and 
everything betokens progress along all lines of Y. M. C. A. 
work. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 333 



XXX. 

EDUCATION. 

The subject of education has already been mentioned more 
than once, but the reader will find here the official statement 
of W. D. Mayfield, Esq., Superintendent of Education, for 
the year 1891, showing the number of high shools and graded 
schools in the county, with the number of pupils in attendance, 
male and female, white and colored. 

We find there are four high schools, viz. : Denny's, Emory, 
Harmony, and Red Hill. Two graded schools, one at Edge- 
field and one at Johnston. 

Number of children that attended school during the scholas- 
tic year, 1890-91. This is the total enrolment. Males, white, 
2,044; females, white, 1,830; total, 3.874. Males, colored, 
2,501; females, colored, 2,907; total, 5,408. Total, males, 
4,545; total, females, 4,737; grand total, 9,282. 

The average attendance was somewhat less. It is here 
given: 

Males, W'hite, 1,840; females, white, 1,517; total, 3,357; 
Males, colored, 2,099; females, colored, 2,457; total, 4,556. 
Total males, 3,939; total females, 3,974; grand total, 7,913. 
Number of school houses, 169; value, $14,475; 71 log houses, 
98 frame; condition good, 90; fair, 43; bad, 36. Owned by 
school districts, 61; by other parties, 108. Of the students in 
attendance there w^ere studying the alphabet, 394; spelling, 
6,156; reading, 5,527; writing, 4,683; mental arithmetic, 
2.342; written arithmetic, 3.367; geography, 2,812; English 
Grammar, 1,930; History of the United States, 1,771; higher 
branches, 446. vSchools were in session during the year, 3.50 
months. 

INSTITUTE WORK — TEACHERS IN ATTEND.\NCE. 

Male, white, 5; female, white, 11; total, 16. 
Male, colored, 17; female, colored, 16; total, 33. 
Total males, 22; total females, 27; grand total, 49. 
Amount paid male instructors, $80.00; female $55-oo- 
Total amount paid instructors, $135.00. 
Value of school furniture and apparatus, $300.00. 



334 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN COMMON SCHOOLS. 

Male, white, first grade, 37; female, 51; total, 8S. 

Male, white, second grade, 2; female, 15; total, 17. 

Male white, third grade, o; female, 2; total, 2. 

Male, colored, first grade, 6; female, 3; total, 9, 

Male, colored, second grade, 16; female, 10; total, 26. 

Male, colored, third grade, 20; female, 25; total, 45. 

Licentiate, colored, 4; total, 4. 

Males, fir.st grade, 43; females, 54; total, 97. 

Males, second grade, 18; female, 25; total, 43. 

Males, third grade, 20; females, 27; total; 47. 

Males licentiates, o; females, 4; total, 4. 
Total ain't paid to teachers during the year 1S90-91 ^12602 31 

SCHOOi:, FUNDS— EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR 1S89-90. 

Teachers' salaries 1 12602 31 

School Commissioner's salary 600 00 

Traveling expenses of School Commissioner . . . 100 00 

Per diem Board of Examiners and mileage .... 30 00 — 1^13332 31 

Money raised for school purposes, 1890, 2-mill tax. 12501 316 

AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGES PAID TO TEACHERS. 

Male, first grade, $30; female, $20. 

Male, second grade, $20; female, $15. 

Male, third grade, $18; female, $18. 

lyicentiates, $12.50; $12.50. 

We find from the foregoing statement the total number of 
children enrolled for instructions in the public schools of the 
county is 9,282. 

At an expense to the county of $13,332.31. For each child 
enrolled it is $1,436. 

Schools are open three and a half months in the year. 

From the foregoing statement it is very plain that the edu- 
cation and the amount of instruction to be had in the public 
schools is not at all sufficient to make one a .scholar. Pope, 
the poet says: 

"A little learning is a dangerous thing; 
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring." 

I am not sure that he is right, but whether he is or not, this 
is clear, that he who is able to read well, is able to drink deep, 
is able to store up in his mind the best thoughts of the best 
and wisest men of all the ages. The public school system 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 335 

lays the foundation and opens the way to the acquisition of 
knowledge, and the seeker can go on if he wishes. A colle- 
giate training does little more. 

The public school system is rather hard on the teachers. 
Three and a half months' employment during the year is not 
sufficient, hence the danger is of not being able to find teachers 
strictly first grade for the public schools. There is great 
danger of lowering the standard. 

In addition to the foregoing mentioned high schools and 
academies I can add that there is at Ridge Spring a good 
academy for boj-s and girls where pupils are prepared for 
college. Batesburg has two good schools, one under the 
control of the Baptist denomination, tlie other under control of 
the Methodist. Both have good teachers and both do good 
work. They have good buildings. These schools belong to 
Lexington as well as Edgefield, as Batesburg is on the line 
between the two counties. Johnston has alread}^ been men- 
tioned. The schools there have been good for a long time. 
Johnston now has a graded school. Trenton, the old Pine 
House, has a good academy. At this time, September 1S93, 
the school is under the mastership of M. W. Purifoy — he has 
just entered upon its duties. He has had some experience and 
is a good teacher. The school has a competent corps of 
assistants. 

At Edgefield Rev. E. R. Gwaltney has just entered upon his 
duties as headmaster of the old and venerable Edgefield Acad- 
em)', where many eminent men were educated in the past, and 
where one eminent native and citizen of Newberry, James J. 
Caldwell, taught in the year 18 19. Mr. Gwaltney, as pastor 
of the Baptist Church at Edgefield and a master of the acad- 
emy, has a fine field for doing good work. 

Parksville, Modoc, and Plum Branch, on the Augusta and 
Knoxville Railroad, have good high schools. And so in every 
section of the county from Lexington to Abbeville and from 
the Savannah to the Saluda, education is not neglected any- 
where, but from every hamlet and homestead in the land 
children flock daily to the school houses with their .satchels 
full of books. And all who will may get a good education in 
the County of Edgefield. 



336 HISfORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

LITERATURE. 

Edgefield has been the home, native or adopted, of many 
eminent men, lawyers, judges, physicians, ministers of the 
Gospel, statesmen. Governors, and militarj^ men, but of few 
writers and authors of books. The talent and genius have 
not been wanting; but the atmosphere of Edgefield has always 
been too intensely active and practical to give a suitable home 
to the story teller, to the dreaming scholar, or to the poet. 
There have been men and women both, who, under other 
auspices, might have developed into poets and writers of 
general literature. Indeed, the feeling that makes the poet, 
the sciei.tist, and the scholar is in all lands and in all commu- 
nities. Circumstances foster, or retard and hinder, the growth 
of the feeling to the flowering and fruit-bearing age. 

In Edgefield the taste and scholarship of Mr. Edmund 
Bacon were so remarkable that when a boy at school in 
Augusta and onl}^ fifteen years of age, he was selected by the 
academy to give the address of welcome to Washington on his 
visit to that city in 1791. Mr. Bacon's wish then was to de- 
vote himself to literary pursuits, to which his guardian was 
favorable, perhaps injudiciously, as his fortune was small. 
Washington was so well pleased with the address of welcome 
that he made Mr. Bacon a present of books, and among them 
were some valuable law books. This present determined him 
to give his life to the law. He made a good and successful 
lawyer; but the-e is little doubt that literature lost a worthy 
servant. The taste for polite learning (and the love of it) has 
always been strong in his descendants, but they have pro- 
duced, so far as is known to this writer, no permanent works. 
The editor of the Edgefield Chronicle is a graceful and easy 
writer, of pure taste and is a fine musician. What James T. 
Bacon might have done had he given himself to letters en- 
tirely, I know not; but I feel that he could have done well. 

Arthur Simkins, so long the able and popular editor of the 
Edgefield Advertiser, was a poet and musician of no mean 
order; but he passed away, leaving no permanent work, except 
what may be found in the files of the Advertiser. There are 
others now bearing the name, who might rise to eminence in 
the world of letters, but the exigencies of life press upon them 
and force their labors into other channels. Poverty and neg- 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 337 

lect are too often the portion of the man of letters. When suc- 
cessful the carping critics vex his soul, and he cannot help 
crying out: 

"Tray, Blanche aud Sweetheart, see they bark at me." 

Mrs. Sophia Lake, born Blocker, the wife of Dr. John Lake, 
was a good writer; wrote stories and sketches for the Adver- 
tiser, and was an occasional contributor to Godey's Lady's 
Book, and perhaps also to other magazines. She left no 
book. Had I a specimen of her verse it would afford me 
pleasure to give one or more here. She was kin by blood to 
James Beattie, author of the Minstrel. 

Why should I write the name of Catherine D. Hammond 
here? Because she was, or might have been, a writer of verse. 
She lived and died perhaps a hundred years ago. Hers was a 
bright, ethereal spirit, the spirit of a poet. 

Professor La Borde's History of the South Carolina College 
is one of the few books, the work of an Edgefield man. The 
work is very valuable as the history of an institution that has 
been, and, it is hoped, will long continue to be, of great and 
lasting benefit to the people of the State. Professor La Borde's 
work, with Colonel J. P. Thomas' History of the Citadel 
Academy, should never be permitted to drop into neglect 
before the sea of oblivion covers all. 

William H. Abney had poetical ability of a high order, but 
no work of his remains, except some few verses which were 
published in the Advertiser, and which are here given, with 
remarks of the editor of that paper: 

Edgefield Advertiser, Janiiary 14th, 1863: 

SOMETHING UNIQUE. 

W. H. A. sends us from Grahamville, S. C, the following 
chastely-wrought stanzas, remarking that "although verses of 
another stripe would be more suited to a time of war like 
this," 3^et he does not think "that Melpomene should utterly 
dethrone her gentler sisters." We decidedly agree to that 
sentiment, and find room with pleasure for our absent friend's 
eff'usion. The ladies will scan its peculiar merits with zest, 
and, although plain philologists may at first uplift their critical 
brows against the quaintness of its verbiage, the}' will, upon 
examination, find that it stands the test of orthoepy. Only 



338 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 

further premising that we should ourself have preferred that 
our classical contributor had furnished a clue to one or two very 
pretty phrases which (to be candid) are not entirely within 
our ken, we beg leave to introduce to the public: 
The Elfin Lake. 

A lakelet smiles in yonder druid glen, 

So dipt in roundure that a naiad's hair, 
I wis, might shadow it — and one could ken 

No presence but the naiad's presence there. 

Innumerous 'quick-freshes,' clear and cold, 
Open their crystal throats, and ever pour 

Their bick'ring symphonies, like nerves of gold. 
In the maer's uru with tinkling, doric roir. 

A fay-born, grotesque isle, from the lake's eyne. 

Peeps like king-jewel in a carcanet. 
Embossed with zimmes and shells of quaint design, 

Whose tints have never blush'd in cabinet. 

Eft gossamers elance from spray to spray. 
And weave their lither woofs with subtile powers, 

And prank them with the Iris-hues they bray 
With gauz3' plumes from ever-blooming flowers. 

Here tryst the gentle elves — somewhiles the}- chase 
The clinquant lake-sprats in their mad-cap mirth; 

Somewhiles make periapts that wont to grace 
The necks of ruddy cherubs at their birth. 

Edgefield Advertiser, February 25th, 1863: 
THORNEY ISLE. 

"The sweet loneliness of Thorney Isle plea^eth- me more 
now." These words are ascribed to Edwardyiif, the' MonK- 
King, hy Sir E. Bulwer Eytton in his powerful romance of 
"Harold, the last of the Saxon Kings." They were addressed 
to William tlie Conqueror, as the royal twain rode side by side 
to London, 

I. 
William, I love the Juillet Tower, 

And yon palatial pile; 
Yet, o'er me sways a sweeter power, 

The elliuge Thorney Isle. 
O Thornc}' Isle, O Thorney Isle, 

The loneliness so sweet. 
Of Thorney Isle, my Thorney Isle, 
Pleaseth me more, I weet! 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 339; 

II. 

I love Westminster, my wonne 

Shut out from snare and wile; 
And a meet bye for royal mont, 

Is louely Tlioruey Isle, 
O Thoruej- Isle, O Thorney Isle, 

The loneliness so sweet, 
Of Thorney Isle, mj' Thorney Isle, 

Pleaseth me more, I weet! 

III. 
Norman, I love the Palatine, i 

Keep, where I bode erstwhile; 
But dear to me in life's decline. 

Is ellinge Thorney Isle. 
O Thorney Isle, O Thorney Isle, 

The loneliness so sweet, 
Ot Thorney Isle, my Thorney Isle, 

Pleaseth me more, I weet! 

IV. 
.Sweet Thornej' Isle, to thee I fly 

In these my days senile; 
Have off this crown, O let me die 

In louely Thorney Isle! 
O Thorney Isle, O Thorney Isle, 

The loneliness so sweet, 
Of Thorney Isle, m}- Thorney Isle, 

Pleaseth me more, I weet! 

Thorney Island was once the seat of Westminster. 

W. H. A. 

Joseph Abney was a graceful and fluent writer as well as an 
eloquent speaker. He wrote much for the Advertiser, as he 
always took a deep interest in the political movements of the 
times. But he left nothing in the form of book or pamphlet, 
that I now remember, except an address before Butler Lodge, 
No. 57, A. F. M., on the Anniversary of St. John, the Bap- 
tist, in 1854. Mr. Abney was an ardent and devoted Mason, 
and in this address he traces the history of the order and 
shows how strong the tie of brotherhood is amongst all nations 
and people who ha\-e become members of the fraternit}'. There 
are some eloquent passages in the address, and if the incidents 
related are true, and I have no reason to doubt them. Free 
Masonry is truly a noble order. Like other good things, it is 
abused sometimes. 



340 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Giles Chapman, who was killed at the battle of Buena Vista, 
soon after the close of his school days wrote and had printed 
at the office of the Advertiser a poem of three or four hundred 
lines, descriptive of a trip to the then new country of Texas. 
It was written before the Texan War of Independence. The 
poetn was inscribed to Charles K. Johnson, for whom the 
author had great admiration and reverence as a teacher and as 
a man. Mr. Johnson was then editing and publishing the 
"Native American" at New Orleans. I transcribe a few lines 
from the poem: 

"O, what a beauteous landscape! Every hill — 

?^nd rising cliff is clothed in evergreen; 
And many a rivulet and gushing rill 

Ripples along their verdant sides between. 
The plain, arrayed in garb of glorious sheen, 

Arrests by turns the traveller's ardent gaze; 
The wild-deer adds fresh beauty to the scene, 

That bounds from cliff to cliff, or on the hillside plays. 

"But sadness will at times invade the mind. 

And there are none who can resist the spell; 
Pleasure is not to flowery meads confined, 

But oftener haunts the hermit's lonelj^ cell. 
And so it was with him, 'tis strange to tell, 

No more this land of beauty charmed his eyes. 
Which seemed too bright for men on it to dwell; 

Its beauty seemed to him as borrowed from the skies." 

Thomas ]. McKie, M. D.. of Woodlawn, is a graceful and 
pleasant writer, and has given to me great assistance in the 
preparation of this book. His "Medical Biographies," which 
was printed and published in pamphlet form several years 
ago, the reader will find incorporated in this book. Dr. McKie 
was Surgeon in the Tenth Regiment, Gist's Brigade. 

The following Hues by the author of this book were written 
and published in the Edgefield Advertiser soon after the de- 
cease of tl:e great man whose death they were intended to 
commemorate: 

CALHOUN. 

His voice is heard no more. 

Earth's greatest sou is gone; 
O, weep, fair Carolina, weep! 

But gird thy armor on. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. -4, 

Ah, who shall fill his place? 

What mighty man have we, 
Whose voice shall, like a trumpet peal, 

Make every pulse beat free? 

Wail, Carolina, wail; 

Put dust upon thy head; — 
Thou mournest now thy noblest sou, 

The mightiest of the dead. 

But in thy deepest woe, 

Beside his lonely tomb; 
When wears the future time for thee 

A face of fearful gloom. 

Swear that his words shall be 

Deep in thy memory set! 
Swear in th}- grief that thou wilt uot 

His lessons e'er forget. 

Swear with thy hand upraised, 

And by his name of might; 
That thou wilt still, through weal or woe. 

For aye defend the right. 

The same writer has also published two small volumes of 
verse, "The Walk and other Poems," and "Within the Vail," 
also a "History of South Carolina for use in the common 
schools." This was adopted in 1893 by the State Board of 
Education. He has also published Part Second of the Annals 
of Newberry and this History of Edgefield. 

W. C. Moragne was a man of fine education and remarkable 
for his good literary taste and ability. He made, during his 
life, several occasional addresses, which were well worthy of 
preserv^ation, but he did not devote himself to literature as a 
calling. He was a lawyer, and at the Bar as a practitioner 
of law he was eminently successful. A sketch of his career is 
found elsewhere in this book. 

There may be others or may have been other workers in the 
literary field, of whom I know nothing. There may be some 
now in other States, natives of Edgefield or descendants of 
natives, whose names I would be glad to record here. Edge- 
field has produced too few who have devoted themselves to 
letters, and who have been faithful followers of the muses. 



342 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The newspapers of the county have always held a good 
position as papers, pure and hightoned. The Advertiser was 
the first, and stood alone for many years, published by the 
elder Mr. W. F. Durisoe as editor and proprietor. Then there 
was a paper published in Hamburg for some years, the title of 
which I do not remember, though it seems to me it was the 

Hamburg Journal by Mr. Yarborough as editor. Now 

there are three weekly papers in the county, two at the 
Court House — Advertiser and Chronicle, and one, the 
Monitor, at Johnston. They are all Democratic, though they 
differ somewhat in their views as to the true policy of the 
Democratic party. This is but natural and right, so they 
a>gree to live, and do live in peace and good fellowship. 

Edgefield Advertiser, May 20th, 1869: 

LADIES' LIBRARY SOCIETY. 

In pursuance of a previous notice, the ladies of Edgefield 
village and vicinity met on the 17th inst., to organize a 
Library Society. 

Om motion of Mrs. Dr. Hill, Mrs. Joseph Abney was called 
to the Chair, and Mrs. Robert A. Lynch appointed Secretary. 

A constitution having been prepared, it was adopted, and 
the following officers elected, viz.: Mrs. Jos. Abney, President; 
Mrs. Dr. Hill, Vice-President, and Mrs. Robert A. Lynch, 
Secretarv and Treasurer. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 343 

XXXI. 

MEDICAL BIOGRAPHIES. 

BY THOS. J. MCKIE, M. D. , EDGEFIELD, S. C. 

"The wind blows out, the bubble dies; 
The spring entomb'd in autumn lies; 
The dew dries up, the star is shot; 
The flight is past, and man forgot." 

The laborious and well nigh impossible task assigned me, by 
this Association at its last meeting, in Aiken, two years ago, 
of collecting and recording biographical sketches of the medi- 
cal profession in Edgefield, having been partially and vers- 
imperfectly performed, I beg to submit the following brief and 
barely more than traditional sketches, as a part of that dutj^ 
so imperfectly performed. The difficulties which surround 
this undertaking can only be appreciated by those who have 
engaged in a similar work, and from such, at least, I hope for 
the mildest criticism. 

As geographers crowd into the edges of their maps parts of 
the world which they do not know about, adding notes in the 
margin to the effect that beyond this lies nothing but sandy 
deserts, Scythian ice or a frozen sea, so would this work be, 
were more to be said of the few whose names and lives I have 
attempted to record. 

Well may it be said: 

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, 
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, 
And then is heard no more." 

Although the doctor's life is most intimately fraught with 
that of the human family, from the moment of birth to the 
hour of death, the first to welcome the new creature into life, 
and the last to minister to his dying wants, yet he retains not 
a memory, 

"And oft the throng denies its charity." 

This much having been said, apologetically, of Edgefield's 
meagre medical record, the sketches are respectfully sub- 
mitted: 



344 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

DR. W. BRAZIER. 

Dr. William Brazier, though a native of England, died in 
Aiken, then a part of Edgefield, in July, 1843, and may be 
claimed as an Edgefield practitioner, though much of his 
life was spent elsewhere. Dr. Maximilian Laborde has left us, 
in an obituary notice, all we know of this rather remarkable 
character. Born in London about A. D. 1740, (being some- 
thing like one hundred years old when he died) of highly re- 
spectable parentage, one of his cousins, Captain Lambert, of 
the British Navy, fell at the capture of the Java by the Con- 
stitution; another. General Lambert, was in command of the 
British reserve at the battle of New Orleans; he obtained favor 
of the British Government, and secured a collectorship at the 
port of St. Christopher, in the West Indies. Here he turned 
missionary to the negroes, preaching the doctrine of John 
W^esley. 

About 1791 he was invited to Charleston by a Society of 
Primitive Wesleyan Methodists, to take charge of their con- 
gregation. Here he determined upon the study of medicine, 
and repaired to Philadelphia for that purpose, a 3'ear or two 
after. Receiving an invitation from Dr. Rush, who discov- 
ered 7 are talent in the student, to go into his office, he prose- 
cuted his studies so successfully as to obtain a license to prac- 
tice among the inmates of the Philadelphia Almshouse, for .six 
months of the year 1795. He then returned South and prac- 
ticed medicine at and near Augusta, Ga. , and in Edgefield un- 
til 1803, when he was again called to Charleston, to take 
charge of the church, by which he had been invited in 1791. 
Nine months after he abandoned the pulpit and removed to 
Columbia, where he practiced medicine a short time; thence he 
returned to the neighborhood of Edgefield Court House, where 
he practiced his profession until about 1827. Five or six years 
were then .spent in the valley of the Mississippi. 

As a phy.siciau, Dr. Brazier stood well with the profession 
of his day. Between the Shakers, to whom he w^s at one 
time strongly attached, Methodists and Baptists, his theolog- 
ical ideas were not always clearly understood, and it is believed 
he died in the faith of Baron Swedenborg. His intellect was 
of a high order, but for want of cultivation and discipline, 
which insure logical precision and perspicuity, and owing to an 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 345 

ardor of temperament which rendered him impatient of contra- 
diction, he was not successful He was an inveterate talker 
and a bold listener, so much so that he has been known to talk 
his friend into a sound sleep, and then arouse him by a verbal 
chastisement for his inattention or want of capacity to under- 
stand him. 

DR. ELBERT BLAND 

Was born near Edgefield, S. C, on the 29th of April, 1823. 
Born and reared in affluence, and having a father ambitious for 
his son, his educational advantages were of the best. 

Nature gifted him with a clear and vigorous intellect, to- 
gether with an almost unparalleled native energ}^ and vigor- 
ous application capable of rapid and lasting acquirements. 
His was a strong, manly, and forcible character, well calcu- 
lated to carve its way through the deadliest opposition. Hav- 
ing selected medicine for his profession, he properly under- 
stood the high requirements of the vocation. He entered the 
medical department of the University of New York, and re- 
mained there during the sessions of 1843 and '44. 

In March, 1844, he graduated with honorable distinction. 
Being ardent and ambitious in his profession, he was not satis- 
fied with merely entering upon the threshold of science, but 
was desirous of penetrating into the inmost recesses of its mys- 
teries. He consequently returned to the city of New York, 
and spent the greater part of the year 1845 and 1846 attending 
the hospitals, and still deriving knowledge from the learned 
men of the faculty, among whom he had warm and lasting 
friends. His knowledge of the philosophy of medicine was 
deep and accurate. 

In the captivating and instructive branches of physiology 
and anatomy he was exceedingly well versed. But it was in 
the specialty of surgery that he rested his hopes for future 
eminence. He was singularly fitted by his temperament for 
this dignified and important branch of his profession, and it 
only needed a longer life to have placed him in the front rank 
of American surgeons. On the breaking out of the Mexican 
war he applied for and received the appointment of Assistant 
Surgeon of the historic Palmetto Regiment, and with them 
proceeded to the distant field of action. He passed through 
the arduous Mexican campaign with honor and practic?.l im- 



346 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

provement to himself, with sterling usefulness to his fellow- 
soldiers, and with the highest intimacy and applause of his 
commander, the heroic and knightly Colonel P. M. Butler. 
He returned to Edgefield at the close of the war, in 1848, and 
resumed the practice of medicine. He was married to Mi.ss 
Rebecca Griffin, daughter of Honorable Nathan L. Griffin, 
also of Edgefield, in March, 1854, and from that time until the 
breaking out of the late war, lived there as a popular, scien- 
tific, reliable, fearless, and sympathetic physician. Though 
actively engaged in arduous professional duties, yet he never 
ceased to be more or less a student, but with the application of 
true mental devotion, made himself one of the best informed 
men of his day. 

Unpretentious and unpedantic, he was yet a better scholar 
than mau}^ around him distinguished for high literar}^ and 
political position. The dark clouds of dissension gathered and 
the call of an invaded country disturbed the study of scientific 
pursuits, and with unexampled devotion and patriotism, he 
exchanged the scalpel for the sword and placed his services 
and his life upon the altar of his country. 

On the 6th of January, 1861, he was commissioned Surgeon 
of the First Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, commanded 
by Colonel Maxey Gregg, and stationed on Morris Island. In 
this capacity he served but two months, and fired with pa- 
triotic ardor and love of martial glor}', he resigned this posi- 
tion, determined to seek more active service. He returned 
home and in March, 1861, was made Captain of the Ninety- 
six Rifles, one of the best organized, drilled, and equipped 
companies of the war. This company formed the right, and 
rifle company of the Seventh Regiment, South Carolina Volun- 
teers. During the first year of the war he led this company 
through all the marchings and couiitermarchings of the Army 
of the Potomac. At Fairfax, at Bull Run, at Manassas, Fall's 
Church, Munson's Hill, on the retreat to the Peninsula, at 
Yorktown, and at Williamsburg. In April, 1862, the Seventh 
Regiment was reorganized and Captain Bland was elected 
lyieutenant Colonel, and, with the exception of four months, 
he was in active command of the regiment. In the battles 
around Richmond, at Savage Station, he received a severe 
wound in the right arm, from which he never recovered — only 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 347 

a few weeks before his death, a tumor proceeding from this 
wound, caused him intense suffering. At Fredericksburg, m 
the terrible battle of December, 1862, he led the Seventh Reg- 
iment. In this battle he narrowly escaped death, and was 
only saved by a spy-glass in his left breast pocket — the cylin- 
der of which was torn and the glass shivered by a minnie ball. 
At Chancellorsville in May, 1S63, he led the regiment. At 
Gettysburg he led the right win 4-. In all these battles he was 
slightly wounded. After his return frorri Pennsylvania, his 
health was so shattered, and his wounded arm so troublesome, 
he determined, very reluctantly, to return home to his profes- 
sion. The regiment was ordered South, and clamored so 
loudly for him to lead them that he consented, and on the 
fatal 20th September, 1863, he marched to the "River of 
Death," and fell on the bloody field of Chickamauga — shot 
through the left lung. 

He lived three-quarters of an hour, and died in the arms of 
his devoted Sergeant, Stallworth, and calmly and bravely as 
became his life, entrusted messages of love and farewell to 
wife and children. 

DR. WILLIAM BUTLER. 

Of the distinguished sons of Edgefield who have adorned the 
medical profession, besides being a rich heritage to the district. 
State, and county, none are more worthy of record than Dr. 
Wilham Butler, Jr., who was born in 1792, at Big Creek, near 
the spot where Butler Church now (1889) stands. 

When quite a young man, handsome, tall, (six feet) erect, 
and graceful, he appears in connection with the medical staff 
at the battle of New Orleans. From the Navy Department, 
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, we obtain the following 
record of naval service of Dr. William Butler, Jr.: 

Surgeon's Mate, (equivalent of Assistant Surgeon now) 
commission dated loth December, 1814, and handed to him at 
this Department on the 2nd June, 181 5, with an order to 
report himself to Dr. Cuthbush for duty in the hospital at 
Washington. 

Accepted 2nd June, 1815. 

May 14th, 1816, report to Commodore Tingy for duty on 
board schooner "Non-such." 



348 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

November 7th, 181 7, report to Captain Sinclair for dut}- on 
board "Congress," (Norfolk.) 

November 25th, 18 17, granted furlough, six months. 

January 28th, 1818, report to Commodore H. G. Campbell, 
commanding officer, Charleston, S. C, for duty on Black- 
beard's Island, under the immediate command of Lieutenant 
Thomas Newells. 

January 9th, 1819, proceed to New York, by water, and 
report to the commanding naval officer for duty on that 
station. 

June 6th, 1820, resignation accepted. 

About this time Dr. Butler was married at Newport, Rhode 
Island, to Miss Jane Tweedy Perry, daughter of Captain 
Perry, United States Navy, and sister of the two Commodore 
Perry s, and seems not to have practiced his profession to any 
extent afterwards. He settled on his plantation adjoining 
Saluda Old Town plantation, and devoted himself to agricul- 
tural pursuits. 

In 1824 he exchanged his plantation for a large body of laud 
in Greenville District, and built on Butler's Hill, near to 
Lowndes' Hill, four miles from Greenville Court House, where 
he resided until 1849, when he removed to Arkansas. When 
Waddy Thompson, his brother-in-law, was appointed Minister 
to Mexico, Dr. Butler represented the Greenville Congressional 
District in Congress for the unexpired term. He is repre- 
sented as being rather stern in manner, at times approaching 
austerity, distinguished for elevation and integrity of charac- 
ter, with a rigid sense of right, from which nothing could 
divert or swerve him. 

His stay in Arkansas was a brief one. Attacked by gastric 
disease, he died at Fort Gibson on the 26th of September, 
1850, and is buried near Van Buren, Ark. 

DR. A.^W. BURT. 

Dr. Augustus W. Burt at one time enjoyed a large and 
lucrative practice in the lower Horn's Creek portion of Edge- 
field, occupying quite an extensive field, often requiring two 
or more days to make a round of visits. Fevers, mostly of a 
malarial type, were the prevailing diseases at these busy 
seasDUS, and though in the earlier days of quinine in full or 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 349 

even moderate doses, he had a fair degree of success. It is 
remembered of him that his library was exceedingly small, 
and his stock of medicine, which every county practitioner 
was compelled to keep and dispense, was very limited. Mer- 
cury, followed by jalap, &c. , was the then prevailing fashion 
of treating fevers. Sulphuric ether was with him a favorite 
remedy in what he called red tongue fever, a remittent, with 
excessive gastric irritability. 

His death was a tragic one. Perhaps in 1841 or 1842, he 
was called upon to treat a negro man whose brains had been 
knocked out with the eye of a weeding hoe, in the hands of 
another negro on the same plantation. A difficulty arose be- 
tween them while working in the field together, and the hoe 
was put to the unlawful use of crushing in the frontal bone, 
and displacing a considerable quantity of cerebral matter, some 
of which remained upon the hoe. Shortly after the recovery 
of this case in the hands of Dr. Burt, both negroes were sold 
in consequence of the death of the owner, when the Doctor 
became the purchaser of the assailant. After the close of the 
sale the Doctor laughingly remarked upon the cheapness of his 
purchase, the negro having given him a good paying case in 
thus wounding his fellow servant. 

Two years after the purchase, early in 1847, when the Doc- 
tor attempted to administer some slight punishment to the 
negro, while holding a club-axe in his hand, he turned on his 
owner, and with the axe, treated him as he had before 
done the negro with the hoe, except that immediate death was 
the result, the blows being repeated until life was extinct. 

Dr. Burt was a tall, commanding figure, with fine face, 
winning manner and pleasing address. He was popular, and 
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a large clientage. He 
was also a lover of all field sports, in which he freely indulged 
when the time and opportunity favored, but worked with such 
assiduous industry as to accunudate quite a competency. His 
death was a great shock to the entire community, and was 
deeply regretted by all. 

DR. WALL BURT. 

Two brothers, both Edgefield practitioners, survived Dr. 
A. W. Burt. The younger, Dr. William M. Burt, enjoyed a 



350 HISTORY OF EDGEFIEUD. 

fair practice for several years at Edgefield Court House, where 
he was well spoken of. But, like many others of Edgefield's 
sons, thought best to seek fortune in the West, and removed 
about a quarter of a century ago, to Shreveport, Ea., where 
he practiced till not many years since when he died. 

DR. H. BURT. 

Dr. Harwood Burt, the eldest of the three, was also the 
most talented. He was a fine conversationalist, a most popu- 
lar and successful practitioner, a good speaker, and with all, a 
metaphysician of no mean order. It is said of him that on 
one occasion when v^^orsted in an argument by a learned gentle- 
man who opposed him he turned to him and said: "Sir, 3^ou 
remind me of a pinej^-woods pond — ^all over creation and ankle 
deep no where." He stood at the head of the profession in 
Edgefield and was considered a .safe and wise counsellor in all 
matters pertaining to medicine. 

Being a genius, he was also erratic. At times a religious 
enthusia.st, at others an eloquent lecturer on temperance, and 
at last an industrious and most successful farmer, making an 
impress of his versatile mind upon agriculture, which re- 
dounded to the benefit of his entire section, whose capabilities 
as an agricultural territory had never before reached such a 
high state of productiveness as was developed under his skill- 
ful hands. 

His death was a great lo.ss to his neighborhood, county and 
State, which he alike adored. ' Ele died at his home near 
Trenton. 

DR. M. W. ABNEY. 

Dr. Mathew W. Abne}^ was born in the Saluda .section of 
Edgefield in 1814. He was descended from an honored Saluda 
family, who claim descent from an old English family, mem- 
bers of which still hold honored places in the mother country. 
Dr. Abney's parents both died when he was yoiuig. From 
early youth, however, he was brave and self-reliant; and in 
the country schools of his native section, he acquired a fair 
education. Before reaching manhood's estate he volunteered 
for the Seminole War under Colonel David Denny, also of the 
Saluda section. In this campaign his health became impaired. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 35 1 

He travelled in Kentucky and Ohio for tlie benefits offered by 
the lime water of those States. While in Cincinnati he be- 
came a student of Dr. Curtis, an eminent physician of his daj-. 

Returning home, he continued his medical studies with Dr. 
John Ready, a prominent ph3-sician of the eastern side of 
Edgefield. He graduated from the South Carolina Medical 
College in 183S, his thesis having received complimentary 
notice. 

Beginning practice in the Pleasant Lane section of Edgefield 
he obtained some distinction the following year by his suc- 
cessful management of his cases in an epidemic of typhoid 
fever which prevailed in his neighborhood. 

In 1840 he married Miss Caroline Blocker, a lady whose 
every quality conspired to bless and brighten the Doctor's 
whole life — the last thirty years of which was spent in active 
practice at Edgefield Court House interrupted only by his 
service as a medical officer in the army of the Confederate 
States. 

This noble gentleman of the old scliool died at his home in 
Edgefield village after a lingering and painful illness. Four 
years before his death he was stricken with paralysis and 
remained an invalid — the trials of which he bore with such 
fortitude and courage as to display in an exemplary way his 
Christian character. For almost half a century, Dr. Abney 
pursued his work of duty and devotion to his profession and 
patrons with singular and steadfast earnestness, and died in 
his seventy-second year. 

The following additional tribute to the memory of Dr. M. 
W. Abney is from the pen and heart of James T. Bacon, Esq., 
editor of the Edgefield Chronicle: 

"This noble gentleman of the old school, of high and hon- 
orable Saluda lineage, died at his home in our town on Friday 
morning, the 2otli inst. Four years ago he was stricken with 
paralysis, since which time he was a helpless, though a cheer- 
ful invalid, strong in intellectual keenness and Christian 
fortitude. And never did mortal man through long years of 
suffering receive such sublime exemplification of woman's love 
and truth, and faith, and work, as did our revered and de- 
parted townsman. 

"His sons gave their lives long ago for the Southern cause, 



352 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

but his noble wife and daughters will ever wear the crown of 
duty fulfilled with heavenly completeness. For half a centur}- 
Dr. Abney was an acknowledged leader in his great humani- 
tarian profession of medicine; a shining light in the scientific 
world beloved of all, and that grandest of all characters, a 
genuine Christian. 

"We gazed upon his face in death and the clean years of 
duty showed their impress upon the peaceful countenance, 
chiseled by thought and tinted with the sweet glow of peren- 
nial benevolence. 

"Dr. Abney was in the seventy-second year of his age. His 
busy brain rests now from all its toil and pain." 

To this brief biographical sketch of Dr. Abney I do not 
think it improper to add that at his wedding supper, to which 
I was an invited guest — he married Miss Caroline Blocker — 
it was my good fortune to eat off the table cloth, or part of 
the table cloth that had been used at the entertainment given 
to Marquis de LaFayette on his visit to Charleston during 
the administration of Governor Manning. 

Mrs. Abney 's grandfather was one of the committee whose 
duty it was to entertain LaFayette on that occasion, and after 
the feast, as the cloth was very large, the committee divided 
it among them, and Mrs. Abne3''s mother used the piece which 
had come to her at her daughter's wedding feast. 

DR. E. J. MIMS. 

*Dr. Edward J. Mims, the second son of M. Miras, Esq., 
one of the oldest settlers of Edgefield village, practiced there 
almost to the time of his death. He also carried on the first 
drug store in Edgefield, in partnership with Dr. M. EaBorde. 
After many years he retired to his plantation, eight miles off, 
which has since become the site of the flourishing town of 
Johnston on the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Road. He 
was well educated, kind-hearted, liberal in his views, and a 
safe and successful practitioner. 

DR. J. O. NICHOLSON. 

*Dr. John O. Nicholson was the oldest son of Shemuel Nich- 
olson, and located at one time in the village of Edgefield, but 

*From the Edgefiled Advertiser. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 353 

iiearly all of his life at the place of his nativity, several miles 
above, where he practiced with satisfaction to his patrons. In 
manner he was gentle and dignified. He improved his mind 
not only in the science of his chosen profession, but in general 
literature as well. Politics also commanded his attention, he 
having been cliosen a Representative in the State lyCgislature. 
He was also a successful farmer, and possessing an able second 
in the person of his amiable wife, he accumulated a 
fortune, as fortiuies were in those days. He was liberal and 
kind to the poor. He died comparativeh' a j'oung man. 

DR. JOHN LAKE. 

This truly good and able man. Dr. John Lake, was no less a 
philanthropist than a physician — physician in its broad and 
true sense. Whenever appealed to he rarely, if ever, said no. 
And in his special branch, that of obstetrics, he perhaps had 
no equal in Edgefield County. It is currently said of him 
that when the first to be called in lie never lost a mother in 
child-birth. He was a firm believer in the necessity of prompt 
removal of the placenta without the usual waiting taught b}' 
the books. 

To arrive at any degree of prominence in any special branch 
of medicine or surgery- is rarely to be hoped for by a countr}- 
practitioner. The duties which devolve upon him are so 
varied, the amount of physical labor to be performed is so 
arduous, and the time necessarily consumed in going from 
house to house, often at long distances from each other, is so 
great as to preclude the possibility of any specialty without 
some genius or special adaptation of the individual. 

Such fitness Dr. Lake seemed to have possessed. 

Though reared in Edgefield he was born in Newberry Dis- 
trict, April 28th, 1809, and was educated at Cokesbury, in 
Abbeville. His father removed to Edgefield when the son was 
about tvv-elve years of age, and soon afterwards both parents 
died, leaving the son with three other brothers to carve their 
way in life. 

At the age of twenty -one or two Dr. E. graduated from the 
University of Pennsylvania, and began the practice of medi- 
cine soon after. Two or three years later he was married to 
Miss Sophia A. Blocker, who was well known in Edgefield as 



354 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

a lady of culture by her frequent contributions to the current 
literature of her day. 

Besides doing a good practice and having a general super- 
vision of his farm upon which he lived, Dr. L. found time to 
engage in political matters, and represented his district in the 
State Legislature, having been chosen to that office in 1848 (or 
thereabout) by a very complimentary vote of 2,300 out of a pos- 
sible 2,700. 

Dr. Iv. was also active and prominent in his County Medical 
Society, which lived and flourished most under his able admin- 
istration as president, which office he filled so ably and accept- 
ably to the members, that the office was thrust upon him 
against his earnest protest. When well advanced in years, 
and stricken with the infirmities of age, it is remembered that, 
in one of his annual addresses before the Society, perhaps the 
last he ever made, with much feeling and effect he referred to 
the story of the seven men who agreed among themselves to 
meet on a given day in each succeeding year, and dine to- 
gether until the last man was left. He said that, "when I 
look around me for the associates of my earlier life their seats 
are all empty. I alone am left to greet you, the rising genera- 
tion of representatives of Edgefield medicine. I bid you God 
speed, and I entreat 5'OU to foster and perpetuate j^our Society 
for your ow^n benefit, for the advancement of your profession 
and for the good of society. ' ' 

At one time in its earlier days, Dr. L,. was vice-president of 
this Association. In early life he connected himself with the 
Baptist denomination, and on January 17th, 1884, in the 75th 
year of his age, Dr. Lake died as he had lived, a pure and up- 
right man. 

DR. W. W. GEIGER. 

Dr. William W. Geiger, whose place of nativity is on the 
Saluda side of Edgefield, came to Cherokee Pond, about eight 
miles from Hamburg, and began the practice of medicine in 
1837 or 1838. He was a graduate of a Kentucky school, Lex- 
ington, perhaps, which v\-as a popular resort for students from 
this section at that time. He enjo3'ed the confidence and es- 
teem of his community, both as a man and as a physician, 
doing at one time quite a large and extensive practice. He 



KISTOIvY 01* HDOEFIEtD. 355: 

continued in this field for twelve or fourteen years, and after- 
wards abandoned the practice for the less laborious business of 
a commission merchaiit in the then thriving town of Hamburg. 
Dr. G. was twice married, and after the second marriage he 
gave up his business in Hamb-.trg and moved with his family 
to Florida, where he has since died. 

DR. N. MERIWETHER. 

Dr. Nicholas Meriwether, another worthy practitioner of 
Edgefield County, was born August 8th, 1S21, near Clark's 
Hill, a station on the Western Carolina Railway, where he also- 
lived and pursued his work until his health failed. 

Like most country doctors, he pursued the double vocation 
of physician and farmer. The latter was almost a necessit}-, 
he having inherited quite a landed estate and a numerous 
body of slaves; for none of his school, similarly situated, would 
willingly part with their slaves, who had been haiided down 
from generations past, however unprofitable they might be, be- 
ing looked upon as part and parcel of the family household. 
Having acquired a liberal education, he took up the stud}' of 
medicine, and graduated at the Georgia Medical College, at 
Augusta, in 1843. After a few years' practice he abandoned 
it, and gave most ot his time to planting. Like many other 
Carolinians, at the beginning of hostilities between the States, 
he took his place in the ranks (Seventh South Carolina Volun- 
teers) as high private, and served until failing health drove 
him from the field. The close of the war found him broken 
down in health, and his fortune swept away. Beginning life 
anew, he found it necessary to resume practice, of which he 
was never fond, though well versed in medical lore. He was a 
great reader, and possessed a powerful memory, retaining most 
of what was found in books or practice. He was not success- 
ful financially, and was once heard to say that any money- 
making scheme, undertaken for that purpose, always turned 
to dust in his hands. He was a Baptist in faith, deeply reli- 
gious, and scrupulously honest and upright in all the relations 
of life. His religious duty was his first duty, from which 
nothing was allowed to divert him. As a neighbor and friend 
he was faithful and true, as well as hospitable and kind. In 
practice he somewhat prided himself on his successful manage- 
ment of pneumonic fever, in which he had early resort to 



356 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

blisters. He also thought that the disease was iu some way 
associated with malaria; that is to saj^ any given case of pneu- 
monia in the spring or winter, is apt to have been preceded by 
fever in the summer or fall. This view, however, has not 
been sustained by the experience of another phj-sician in the 
same locality. 

This pious and upright physician, having suffered long and 
painfully from gastric disease, passed peacefully away on the 
iSth day of November, 1878. 

DR. A. G. TEAGUE. 

Dr. Abner GrifHn Teague was a native of Ivaurens District, 
but practiced for a considerable length of time in that portion 
of Edgefield known as the Dark Corner. He afterwards re- 
moved to Edgefield village, where he also engaged in practice, 
besides doing a drug business in connection with Dr. T. Jeff. 
Teague. Dr. T. was a good man, an able physician, and a 
successful farmer. But, like many others, he grew weary of 
work, and sought rest on his farm, about three miles from the 
village of Edgefield, w^here the evening of his life was passed. 
He is, therefore, claimed as an Edgefield physician, having 
spent his professional life in our midst. He died a few years 
ago, honored and respected by friends and neighbors, who 
looked upon him as a safe and wise counsellor and upright 
man. 

DR. T. H. PATTISON. 

The subject of the following sketch, Dr. Thos. H. Pattison, 
was born at Old Cambridge, in Edgefield County (then dis- 
trict) in the year 1S20. Eeft an orphan at an early age, he 
was taken in charge by a maternal uncle, who educated and 
brought him up to the mercantile business in the city of Au- 
gusta, Ga. , where he also studied medicine in the office of Dr. 
L. D. Ford, who was, at that time, professor of the practice of 
medicine in the Georgia Medical College, which is situated in 
that city. In 1S43, ^^ graduated from that institution, and 
immediately began the practice of medicine in the neighbor- 
hood of Republican Church, in the Martintown section of 
Edgefield County. Here, bj- his genial manner and strict at- 
tention to duty, he soon acquired a fair practice, which he 
maintained throughout a long and useful career. As a prac- 



» HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 357 

titioner, he stood high with his patrons, who were his friends 
as weU. Earl}' in the war between the States, he entered the 
ranks as a private, and served creditabl}'- until discharged, often 
acting as medical officer to his command, the Seventh South 
Carolina Volunteers. As a practitioner and farmer, he was 
fairly successful. Frequent indulgence in his cups — (he was a 
Bacchanal, and at his own house in one of his bouts, he unfor- 
tunately killed Dr. West, another practitioner and drinker) — 
did not destro}' the confidence of paiients or friends, or prevent 
his moderate success as a farmer. In 1845 he married the 
daughter of Joseph Crafton, a substantial planter, living then 
between Steven's Creek and Savannah River — a section known 
as the "Forks." 

In the management of malarial fevers, which at certain sea- 
sons were rife in his field, he thought mercury a necessity in 
many cases, in order to prevent recurrence. In such as were 
of a remittent type, with high fever and gastric irritability, he 
relied greatly on dram doses of sulphuric ether, to allay the 
fever and quiet the stomach — a practice he had borrowed from 
a neighboring physician. Dr. A. W. Burt. 

Not many years after the war had closed, by over-exertion 
in some farm work, the Doctor brought on pulmonary hemor- 
rhage, which was soon followed by a decline in his general 
health, resulting in death in a few years. None realized more 
clearly the danger of the situation, and no one ever met the 
remorseless monster with more heroic courage. 

He died March 6th, 187S, in the 58th year of his age. 

DR. J. F. ADAMS. 

Dr. James F. Adams, the subject of this sketch, was a native 
of Edgefield County, and fairly exemplified the energy and in- 
dustry of the people who adorned the age and country in which 
he lived. 

He was born about the year 1790, and began the practice of 
medicine in his native district, at about the age of twenty-five 
or thirty years. Of his educational qualifications preparatory 
to the study of medicine, very little is known. His profes- 
sional education was obtained at Philadelphia, to which place 
he journeyed from his home on horseback, consuming almost 
a month on the road, after having .spent .some time in the 



358 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. • 

office of Dr. Dent, an eminent practitioner in the city of Au- 
gusta, Ga. 

Being well equipped, Dr. A. was not long in acquiiiug an 
extensive practice, which he maintained to quite the end of 
hib professional life. It is said that ten or twelve doctors oc- 
cupy the territor}- at one time exclusively held by himself. 
Like most country doctors, he was also engaged in planting, 
to which he gave all of his attention during the latter years, 
and was quite as successful in this as he had been in medicine. 

His forte was in the management of chronic cases, and 
especially of ulcers. He was a strong believer in the efficacy 
of calomel in the treatment of malarial fevers, in which he 
frequently induced ptyalism. Cinchona bark was used not 
as a tonic after the sufferer had been properly (?) depleted 
with mercurial purgatives, emetics, bleeding, etc. This was 
before the introduction into ge;ieral practice of the cinchona 
allialoids. 

In the matter of dress, doctor /\. acquired some distinction. 
[In some way the remaining portion of this has been lost, and 
tlie manuscript is also out of place. ) 

Edgefield Chroncle, March 8th, 1893: 

W. SCOTT SHEPPARD. 

Died at his home on the 27th of January, 1893, Dr. W. 
Scott Sheppard. Pie was born April 28th, 1848; baptized into 
the Bethany Baptist Church by the Rev. John Trapp, 1866; 
graduated as a physician March, 1869. He was in every 
sphere of life the true Christian gentleman. In his religion the 
"Word of God was his rule of faith and practice, and while his 
unusually bright mind was seen in every department of his 
life's work, in nothing was it more manifest than in attainment 
in the knowledge of God's precious Word. His conscientious 
sense of his obligations to that rule, caused his life to conform 
more and more to its requirements, so that it may be truly 
said ot him, his was the path of the just that .shines more and 
more to the perfect day. 

The Master selected him as one who should witness for him 
under peculiar surroundings that would give no grounds to 
question the honesty of his testimony. 

Stricken with paralysis December 27th, 1876, which gradu- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 359 

ally grew worse until it terminated in total blindness in April, 
1889, in his sense of the Christian privilege to take the prom- 
ises of God to himself, he was cheerful through all his painful 
sufferings, counting his afflictions light, however severe, in 
this life, as working for him a far more exceeding and eternal 
weight of glory. Nor did his severe afflictions abate his love 
for and interest in his fellow man, which was ever manifest by 
his anxiety for their welfare and sympathy for them in trials 
and afflictions. He had truly a heart to weep with those that 
weep and rejoice with those that rejoice, yet with perfect resig- 
nation to the supreme love and wisdom of God. 

As a phj-sician, he was diligent, conscientious, and efficient, 
having the most implicit confidence of his patients, to which he 
attributed the blessings asked of God on all his prescriptions. 
His sympathy with suffering humanity caused him to continue 
to practice until afflicted with total blindness, and even then 
his counsel was eagerly sought and cheerfully given. 

In his own family, as a loving husband and father, his char- 
acter and Christian light shone most brightlj' in his tender 
love, safe counsel, and earnest prayers. As a son, he was de- 
voted and affectionate; as neighbor and friend, true, kind, and 
hospitable. As a member of the Mountain Creek Church, his 
life was read and known with profit to church and community, 
and especially will his life and memory be cherished by his 
pastors, who ever had his prayers and co-operation. 

He leaves to feel their irreparable loss, a devoted wife, and 
seven children, with the dying counsel, "goto God for com- 
fort and help, he will ever be true to you," an aged mother, 
three brothers, and a sister, and a large circle of relatives and 
friends. Yet they sorrow not as those who have no hope, 
knowing that the dear one has entered into that rest that re- 
mains to the people of God. J. P. M. 

Edgefield Advertiser, Januar}^ 13th, 1897: 

DR. WILLIAM D. JENNINGS, SR. 

Dr. William D. Jennings, Sr. , died on Saturday last, the 9th 
day of January, at the residence of his life-long friend and 
kinsman, John R. Blackwell. On Monday his^ remains were 
brought to our town and laid to rest by the side of his wife 
and oldest son. "Old Doctor Bill," as generally called, was 



360 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

one of our ancient landmarks, as widely known in Edgefield 
County, perhaps, as any man living or dead. For more than 
seventy-seven years he has been going in and out among us, 
and for only a short period of this long life was he absent from 
his beloved old county and people. (Immediatel}' after the 
war he lived in Galveston, Texas, where he was a member of 
the faculty of a medical college in that city.) Dr. Jennings 
WMS noted above all things for his genial disposition; he 
"showed himself friendly" to all, and in affliction or distress 
was unremitting in his ministrations. A kinder hearted man 
or phj'sician never lived, if we may judge by his acts. And if 
all in Edgefield County who have received kindnesses at his 
hands would bring a wreath for his grave it would make a 
monument higher than any other in our city of the dead. 

DR. GEORGE M. YARBROUGH. 

It would please me much to give an extended sketch of the 
life of Dr. Yarbrough, but it is out of my power. I knew him 
well for many years; at one time he was a near neighbor and 
my family physician, but Ins life and mine at that time flowed 
on in such a calm, uneventful way that there is nothing to re-- 
late, unless one had kept a diar}^ which this writer has never 
done. Sometimes I regret that I have not. 

For a good many years Dr. Yarbrough and myself. Dr. Wil- 
liam Coleman, Joseph Griffith, Esq., and some others, occa- 
sionally met for the purposes of debating any question that 
might be chosen for the purpose. In other words, we formed 
a debating society. We were not mere boys at this time, but 
grown men, and thought ourselves competent to discuss al- 
most any question. One peculiarity, or weakness it might be 
called, I discovered in the Doctor's character at that time. Pie 
often said that it made no difference on which side of any 
mooted question he might be chosen to speak, before the dis- 
cussion was over, he had convinced himself, if no one else, 
that he was on the right side. 

This is altogether natural. One who is pledged to maintain 
a cause hunts up and gathers together all the evidence that he 
can possibly find to sustain it, passing by and ignoring for the 
time everything that militates against it. In this waj' it is 
possible to make a ver}' good argument in order to show that 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLt). 36 1 

black is white, and to make the worse appear the better rea- 
son. 

Dr. Yarbrough was one of the most intelligent, intellectual 
men I ever knew. He was a good neighbor, a good phj'sician, 
good compan}'", genial, and kind-hearted. He was born on 
Big Creek, on the Saluda side of the county, not far from the 
old Butler homestead, of which famil^^ indeed, he was a con- 
nection by blood. After the War of Secession he moved up 
the country to the neighborhood of Walhalla, where he died 
about the year 1S81 or 1882. 

Dr. Yarbrough was twice married. His first wife was the 
daughter of Bennett Perr}^ Esq., of Perry's Cross Roads. She 
brought him one son, whom he named Burr, after his old pre- 
ceptor in medicine. Dr. Burr Johnstone, of Newberr}'. His 
second wife was a widow Coleman and a daughter of Mark 
Black. She brought him one daughter, Elizabeth, a most 
lovely and amiable girl. 

Dr. Beaufort T. Yarbrough was a brother of the foregoing, 
and younger by several years. Although I was at school with 
him — as also with his brother George — for awhile, yet there 
never was that same degree of intimate acquaintance and asso- 
ciation as there was with the elder, though he was a man of 
fine intelligence and amiable nature. He did not practice his 
profession long in Edgefield, but went West. He returned 
towards the close of his life in ill health and died on the :6th 
of April, 1880, at the house of his sister, Mrs. Culbreath, 
mother of James Y. Culbreath, Esq., in Edgefield County, and 
near the place where he was born. 

DR. WILLIAM COLEMAN. 

Dr. Coleman was born loth of March, 1820, at Coleman's 
Cross Roads, Edgefield District, and was the son of Richard 
Coleman and his wife, Eydia Carson. After graduating in 
medicine he married Miss Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Mr. 
David Payne, near Chappell's Ferry on Saluda. 

After some years he moved down into Bullock Count}' 
Georgia, where he farmed and practiced his profession. Pie 
died there, leaving some family. 



362 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

DR. CHARLES M. BURKHALTER IN LIFE AND IN DEATH. 

Dear Chronicle: Having been intimately associated 
with Dr. C. M. Burkhalter for the last four or five years, I 
feel that I am better qualified, possibly, to write of his true 
worth than anyone else except his immediate family, whose 
modesty, as well as great grief, would prevent an expression 
of the great loss they, as well as the entire community, have 
sustained in the death of this pure and strong man. Most 
men, in dealing largely with the public, where almost every- 
body in the community owes them, will have enemies; yet the 
concensus of opinion is that Dr. Burkhalter died without an 
enemy. 

John Ploughman says "that when a man owes you a debt, 
he is more than apt to owe you a grudge, and he is more 
willing to pay interest on the grudge than the debt." This 
saying of John Ploughman is true in most instances, but not 
so in the case of Dr. Burkhalter, for ever^'bod}', at some time, 
in the community, owed him, and still he died without an 
enemy. 

In analyzing his character, I find the explanation of his 
phenomenal popularity — his kindness of heart, his tenderness. 
In these regards he was as gentle as a woman; and yet his 
conscientiousness made him as "true as steel" and as "firm as 
flint." 

Dr. Burkhalter is gone, but he still lives in the hearts of 
those who were so fortunate as to know him. Truly he left 
"foot prints on the sands of time" that will be of inestimable 
value to his children and neighbors, "foot prints" of charac- 
ter, of tenderness, of Christianity, of love, of energy. What 
more can a man attain in this life? What more need he wish 
to attain? What more priceless I'^gacy can he leave to his 
children? "Yea, he rests from his labors, and his works do 
follow him." 

I could fill columns of your paper, Mr. Editor, giving 
grateful reminiscenses of his life and character, exemplifying 
his true worth; but to those who knew him, it would be super- 
fluous. 

Pope says: "An honest man is the noblest work of God?"; 
and in these hard times; when men are tempted to take near 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 363 

cuts, and defraud their fellow men, how true and appropriate 
are these words of Pope's! 

Dr. Burkhalter was an honest man in its strictest and 
broadest sense. His family have lost a true, tender and loving 
husband, brother and parent. We offer them our sincerest 
sympathies. D. A. J. E. 

DR. GARRETT. 

Among the worthies of Edgefield — Westside — perhaps none 
stood higher, and none more worthily stood high, than Dr. 
W. Henry Garrett, who died at Hepzibah, Georgia, in August 
1892. From the days of the Revolutionary War, and, doubt- 
less even previous to that time, the name has been an honora- 
ble one in the county. His wife was Miss Ann McKie, a sister 
of Dr. Robert McKie. She, with only one daughter and five 
sons survives him. Only a few years before his death he had 
removed from his old home in Collier Township to Georgia 
for the purpose of educating his sons, Hepzibah affording 
better facilities for that purpose than the township in which he 
lived. He was buried at Hepzibah. 

The following notice of Dr. Garrett and his death is copied 
from the Augusta Chronicle: 

"Hepzib.\ii, Ga., August 25tli. 

"One of the saddest events that has occurred in the village 
in a long time occurred this morning about 1 1 o'clock when 
the Angel of Death entered the chamber of Dr. H. C. Garrett 
and touched his eyelids into sleep. He was loved and admired 
by all who knew him. His family was peculiarly blessed in 
the light and joy dispensed by him in his happy household. 
He was endowed with the attribute of a gifted intellect and 
talents of a high order. 

''The Doctor had been sick some time with fever. It was 
thought, however, he would rally from the attack and this 
hope reigned from time to time until today when the eyelids 
closed in death and his spirit went to its eternal reward and 
heavenly rest. 

"We can only commend the bereft wife, the sorrowing daugh- 
ter and grief-stricken sons to Him that stood by the grave of 
the one he loved and wept with the Bethany Sisters." 

Is it not true as Young in his Night Thoughts writes? 



364 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

"Death is the crowu of life; 
Were death denied, j oor man would live in vain; 
Were death denied, to live would not be life; 
Were death denied, e'en fools would wish to die. 
Death wounds to cure; we fall, we rise, we reign ! 
vSpring from our fetters; fasten in the skies; 
Where blooming Eden withers in our sight; 
Death gives us more than was in Eden lost, 
This king of terrors is the prince of peace. 
When shall I die to vanity, pain, death? 
When shall I die? When shall I live forever?" 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 36; 



XXXII. 

HISTORICAL HINTS OF EDGEFIELD. 

The Rev. Dr. George Smith, of the North Georgia Confer- 
ence, who preached .so acceptably in Edgefield a month back, 
has written the following pleasant letter to the Nashville 
Christian Advocate: 

From Greenville, by way of Augusta, I went to the hi.storic 
old Town of Edgefield. It is not as old by a hundred years as 
Charleston, and has been known as Old Edgefield for a long 
time. Beverly Allen preached in the court house here over a 
hundred years ago. Lorenzo Dow preached in it near ninety 
years ago, and years ago the Methodist societies were large 
and strong. Then came decline, and great changes pas.sed 
over the country and the Church, and for years Edgefield has 
barely held her place in the family of the Methodists. The 
Baptists have been the ruling religious power, and are now 
much the strongest. With the building of a new railroad the 
village has taken on new life, and Brother Watson, tlie faith- 
ful pastor, determined on a new church, and b}' hard work 
has completed a very handsome brick church. In this beauti- 
ful and attractive church I have just conducted a meeting, 
which was, I hope, profitable. 

In Edgefield lived and died "Ned Brace," the "Native 
Georgian," of the "Georgia Scenes," and his children, grand- 
children, and great-grandchildren abide here still. His name 
was Edmund Bacon, and he was descended from the old 
Bacon stock of Bacon's rebellion in Virginia. His venerable 
daughter, Mrs. Wigfall, the widow of an Episcopal minister, a 
lovely Christian woman, still lives here, and so does his grand- 
son. Colonel James T. Bacon, a charming member of the old 
noblesse. Among other members of our Church, I met Mrs. 
General Evans, whose husband was a major-general in the 
last war. When a young Uian he was among the Indians, and 
she showed me a red flag made v.-ith eagle feathers and red 
flannel, which he captured from a Comanche Chief, and one of 
the arrows from his quiver. General Evans became an earn- 
est Methodist before he died. Edgefield has been the home of 



A^> 



•/ # 



366 HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 

many governers and senators. General A. P. Butler lived 
here, and Senator M. C. Butler still lives here. Preston 
Brooks died here, and Governors Pickens, Bonham, and Shep- 
pard, and divers and sundry of the great Carolinians have 
lived here, and still do. It is a pleasant little city to visit, and 
I much enjoyed my sta}'. 

THE COUNTY AND TOWN OF EDGEFIELD -DESCRIPTIVE. 

Although settled some j^ears over a century, the town of 
Edgefield has never, until recently, improv^ed to an}^ great 
extent. Though always noted for the culture and refinement 
of its people it has only recently got into the gulf stream of 
progress. It may be that the very culture and refinement of 
its people acted as a bar to what, according to modern ideas, 
is considered progress. The town now, however, .slow as it 
may have been in the past, is fully up in the march of prog- 
ress with other parts of the State. It has two banks, about 
twenty lawyers, half a dozen medical doctors, about fifteen 
stores, two able and well-edited weekly papers, the Advertiser 
and Chronicle, a rock quarry, from which granite of the best 
quality is taken, an oil mill, a few private schools, patronized 
liberally by both town and country, stores and private dwell- 
ings continually in course of erection — besides several churches. 

Edgefield is connected with the outside world by railroad. 
The R. and D. Railroad runs within seven miles of the town; 
the C. and C. Railroad runs through a portion of the county, 
and the special pet. Old Cumberland Gap, connects the town 
directly with Charleston. 

On the R. and D. Road, within the County of Edgefield, 
are the towns of Graniteville, Trenton, Johnston, Ridge 
Spring, also a part of Batesburg. On the Knoxville Road 
are Clark's Hill, Woodlawn, Modoc, Parksville, and Plum 
Bi'anch. 

The climate is simply delicious, neither too cold nor too hot. 
The soil is excellent and produces cotton in perfection, that is 
the larger part of it. About two-thirds of the county is clay 
land — oak and hickory — the balance heavily timbered with 
the yellow pine; is sandy and lying well, produces heavy 
cotton crops. This is the same land through which Washing- 
ton passed in May, 1791, and mentioned in his Diary as poor 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 367 

pine barrens of the worst sort. It was so different from his 
owni rich lands on the Potomac that he conld not perceive the 
wealth that lay hidden in the sandy soil requiring only tlie 
industrious hand and arm of the laborer to bring it out to view. 
Indeed it was many years before the people settling there 
knew and understood its real value. 

The rock quarry near the town is daily shipping the best 
quality of granite to Charleston. An extensive oil mill, 
ginnery and fertilizer factory, with their large buildings, are 
all indicative of great life and activity. 

The county is well watered. Big Saluda on the one side and 
the Savannah on the other, with their tributary streams flow- 
ing into them — Little vSaluda River, Big Stevens' Creek, Shaw's 
Creek, Turkey Creek, and others, give an abundance of 
moisture which fertilizes the soil and sustains the growing 
crops. 

The town of Johnston in the County has two banks, four 
churches and a fine graded school, and is a good market for 
produce of all kinds. Trenton and Ridge Spring are also good 
market towns and have good schools, churches, and railroads, 
and telegraphic communication with the outside world. 

I do not know what the mineral wealth of Edgefield County 
may be, other than the granite and the millstone on Cloud's 
Creek, and these are inexhaustible. Gold is found in a belt 
of country running across the count}' from Saluda to the 
Savannah River. It touches the Saluda near Higgins' Ferry 
and runs in a southwestly direction near Richardsonville, 
crosses Mountain Creek above where Dr. John Lake used to 
live on to Dorn's Mine in the lower part of Abbeville and 
crosses the Savannah River into Georgia, It was in this gold 
belt that Mr. Calhoun's rich mine near Dahlonega, Georgia, 
was located. In places in the same belt traces of copper very 
distinctly appear. I have found gold in the rock on the sur- 
face simply by breaking them, in an old field once belonging 
to Mr. William Attav^-ay, afterwards to Mr. John Coleman, 
afterwards to Edward Coleman, on the road not far from 
Sliiloh Methodist Church. About the 3'ear 1S86 a piece was 
picked up on the land of A. P. Coleman, two miles from Hig- 
gins' — Kinard's Ferry. The lump was worth about thirty 
dollars. A small lump worth about two dollars was found in 



368 HISTORY OF liDGEFIELD. 

the same neighborhood a great many j-ears ago. Ahiiost 
anj^where in the belt of country mentioned from the Saluda to 
the Savannah gold may be found by washing the sand and 
gravel in the streams or hillsides near or b}- pounding and 
washing the rock. Whether any paying working mines can 
be found is another matter, but the gold is there in ver}- fine 
grains, and in occasional lumps worth as much as thirty dol- 
lars each. I have seen two such. It appears most plentiful 
on or in the neighborhood of Mountain Creek. In that region 
also traces of copper show most distinctly. 

It was the love of gold that lured De Soto from Florida and 
finally led him to his death. Early in the spring of 1540 he, 
with his devoted follovrers, set out from the head of Appa- 
lachee Bay led by an Indian guide towards the gold regions of 
North Carolina. The}^ passed through middle Georgia, and 
in April reached the head waters of the Ogeechee, passing still 
North until they came to the head v/aters of the Savannah and 
the Chattahoochee. Finding no gold, though undoubtedly 
they must have passed through a gold region, the}' turned 
southward and southwest wardly, passing through Alabama to 
Mobile, where the}' destroyed an Indian village and killed 
many natives. The}^ then again turned North and Northwest. 
Crossing the IMississippi at Chickasaw Bluff, in Ma}-, they 
still continued their progress North, until about the last of 
July, in the neighborhood of the Mississippi, we find them at a 
place named Pacoha, the site of which is now unknown. 
From Pacoha they went on North and Northwest, until they 
reached the highlands of White River, more than two hundred 
miles from the INIississippi. 

In all this time no gold was found. Finally from the heart 
of the continent west of the Mississippi, they returned down 
the Washita to that river. Worn out, De Soto died, and to 
conceal his death, his body was wrapped in his cloak and in 
the stillness of midnight was sunk in the middle of the stream. 
The discoverer of the Mississippi slept beneath its waters. He 
had crossed a large part of the continent in search of gold, and 
found nothing so remarkable as his burial place. These men 
knew nothing of the geological indications of gold. They 
were not miners. They were not men of science and searching 
for gold as peaceful and peaceable explorers. They were 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 369 

hunting for it as robbers, and as such the}- meant to take it 
from those who had ahead}' amassed it, as Cortez and Pizarro 
had done. 

There is much gold in Edgefield, but more near the surface 
of the earth than in its bowels. At an)' rate, it will pay better 
to dig it thence. 

UNDER THE OAKS AT LANHAM'S. 

No excuse nor apology need be given for tlie insertion in 
this history of this account of a day "Under the Oaks at Lan- 
ham's. " It is too well written and describes too vividl}- some 
incidents at the battle of Franklin during the war between the 
States, to be j^ermitted to drop into oblivion as a mere news- 
paper article. The day was the fourth of September, 1891: 
I^anham's Spring, Edgefied Co., September 4th. 

Under the beautiful oaks and poplars that spread their pro- 
tecting boughs over the bold spring which here gushes from 
the earth to gladden tlie water drinkers of Edgefield County, 
there was to-day a notable gathering. The occasion v/as the 
inspection by Adjutant General Farley of the Capers Light 
Infantry, and a reunion of the survivors of Companies I andX 
of Twenty-fourth South Carolina Volunteers, commanded by 
General Ellison Capers. The Capers Light Infantry recently 
organized and named in honor of General Capers, gave a picnic 
to-day, and the Edgefield Hus.sars and the Edgefield Light 
Dragoons were their guests. This a lovely spot, which has 
been resorted to for many }'ears for the annual picnics of the 
Edgefield Hussars, and the spacious dancing pavilion owned 
by that company was used to-day for sheltering a thousand 
people who had come from every part of Edgefield, and even 
from distant counties to attend the reunion. But for the 
weather the attandance would have been doubled, but the rain 
wdiich had commenced to fall early in the morning continued 
at intervals during the day, and kept the picnickers under 
shelter until late in the afternoon. 

The scene was a very attractive one. When the representa- 
tive of the State reached the ground just before noon to-day, 
there was standing room only under the pavilion. Edgefield 
County boasts of some exceptionally handsome women, and a 
hundred or two of them were present. Their fresh summer 



370 HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 

costumes contrasted prettily with the bright uniforms of the 
militia and the sober suits of their civilian escorts. Many 
notables were here. General Capers, ruddy and genial; 
General Butler, a magnificent looking soldier; Congressman 
Tillman — Uncle George — as rugged as an oak, and with a 
look of determination in his steel gray eyes that bodes no good 
lor the purist of the penitentiary when he shall be called upon 
to sustain the charge made at Greenwood that this "bushy- 
headed Congressman had been bought up by the money 
moguls. ' ' 

Governor Tillman, wearing a natty black suit, standing col- 
lar, and white tie, looked little like the "Farmer Ben" of a 
j^ear ago. He has lost tlie haunted look that he had during the 
last campaign, and as he moved through the crowd he seemed 
thoroughly well pleased with the w^orld and with himself. 

Editor Bacon, of the Edgefield Chronicle, tightly wedged in 
between half a dozen girls, recalled Eandseer's "Monarch of 
the Glen," and was literally "another form gone to press. " 
He pulled the tails of his Prince Albert in out of the rain and 
scanned the lowering clouds as tliough beyond them he would 
seek the sanctuary. 

When General Capers arrived within half a mile of T^an- 
ham's this morning he was met by the Capers lyight Infantry 
and marched with them to the pavilion under the tattered 
battle flag of the Twenty-Fourth vSouth Carolina, which, after 
the war had been sewn together by Mrs. Capers, and was pre- 
sented by her husband a year ago to the vState through Gover- 
nor Richardson. Secretary of State Tindal liad loaned it to 
the Infantry for this occasion. 

About 11:30 o'clock General M. C. Butler eloquently intro- 
duced General Capers. 

General Butler .said: "The pleasant duty devolves upon me 
of introducing the orator of the day. General Ellison 
Capers, a gentleman whose gallantr}' was known and admired 
b}' all who were associated with him during that terrible con- 
flict, the v.-ar between the States — a man whose conduct, 
wdiether on the march, in camp or on the battlefield, was an 
inspiration to all v/ho came within his influence — the man 
whose splendid leadership these brave men followed through 
the trying days of tliat terrible war — the gentleman, soldier, 



HisTor;v OF Edgefield. 371 

and Christian, who has always lived up in full measure to the 
duties of life, wherever they have devolved upon him. A bril- 
liant soldier in battle lie is equally a faithful follower of tlie 
cross. He has always done his duty to Ins country and his 
God, and I welcome him most cordially to the County of 
Edgefield." [Applause.] 

General Capers addressed himself to the Capers Light In- 
fantry; his old comrades and his old friends of Edgefield: 
"There come," said he, "occasions in a man's life when he 
finds it difficult to express the conflicting emotions of his mind. 
This is such an occasion. I am here in the presence of my 
old comrades and friends, survivors of the gallant company of 
my regiment. Here are their 3-ounger brothers and sons, and, 
in one or two instances their grandchildren, formed into a 
military company, with which they have doiie me the distin- 
guished honor to associate my name. Here before me is a 
generation who liave grov\-n up since the eventful scenes 
through which we have pas.sed, niy old comrades. 

"How^ to speak for the edification of all of 3^ou, how to give 
utterance to the thoughts tliat throng my mind, is indeed a 
problem. 

"As I marched today under that flag I thouglit of the noble 
and heroic founder of the Twenty-Fourth Regiment, Colonel 
Clement H. vStevens, of Colonel Jesse Jones, ?;Iajor Appleby, 
Major Hammond, Major Hill, Adjutant Palmer and all the 
gallant and heroic dead who have fought under its folds, and 
by the sacrifice of their lives have built up its glory. 

"No regiment had a grander record than the Tvventy-Fourtli 
South Carolina. Up to September 1864 out of a total of 1,152 
men wdio marched out under that flag 563 were killed, wound- 
ed or captured, and 157 died of disease at home or in camp, 
making a total of 720 casualties up to that time." 

Speaking in this strain. General Capers said he thought he 
could best serve the young men present by relating incidents 
of their fathers and elder brothers, and selected those con- 
nected with Hood's Tennessee Campaign, and especially of 
the battle of Franklin. 

He described the desperate condition of his men, thirty of 
whom were without shoes and seventy without blankets in the 
bitter cold Novemler of that clime when they cro.^'Sjd the 



372 PIISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Tennessee River. He described grapliically tlie battle of 
Franklin, the advancing lines of Hood's army, the lay of the 
field and the position of the enemy, the gallant charge and the 
capture of the flag of the Ninety-Seventh Ohio Volunteers by 
Lieutenant James Tillman, commanding Company I, Anderson 
Walls, Owen Carpenter, and the late J. Press Blackwell. 

"General Gist rode up to me in the course of the battle and 
called out excitedly — the onl}' time I ever saw him excited on 
a battlefield — 'Colonel I count on the 24th, today.' I kissed 
my hand to him as he rode awa}' to his death. That he could 
'count on the 24th' the result showed. 

"In front of the eneni}- they had felled a locust thicket, 
making a magnificent abattis. Through those thorns the men 
of the 24th gallantly plowed their v/ay, falling like leaves in 
the wind. 

"In the providence of God, I was shot dovrn. I have alwa3's 
believed that I owed my life to men of Edgefield, (a voice, 
'Here's one of 'em') who seized me by the arm and dragged 
me up to a ditch, where I was protected from further fire. 

"I did not see one man falter beneath tliat flag, nor one fail 
in the discharge of his full duty. 

"While I was lying wounded Jin! Ti'I:iian came to me and 
said 'put your hat on your sword and v/ave it, and your men 
will go over the ditch.' I replied that I was too weak from 
the loss of blood to do even that. But Jim Tillman never 
wanted inspiration to dut)'. He led the men over and that 
night gave me the flag of the Ninety-Seventli Ohio. 

"The man who holds the tattered flag now before 3'ou — 
Adam Carpenter — defended it gallant!}' in that battle, in the 
absence of the gallant color bearer, Sergeant Hollis, of Com- 
pany H. When Carpenter, having exhausted his ammunition 
was hard pressed by one of the enemy, he picked up a rock 
and brahied his assailant. 

"Was there ever, in the history of a people meeting such 
overwhelming defeat as came to Southern armies, such a scene 
as is here presented? A meeting to commemorate memories 
that were glorious, in spite of defeat, because the examples of 
heroism and .'sacrifice were inspiring." 

In conclusion, the speaker addressed him.self to Captain 
James H. Tillman and the new company, urging them to 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 373 

emulate the noble deeds of their f;ithers and elder brothers, 
and thanking them witli much feeling for the honor of asso- 
ciating his name v.ith thern and in inviting him to address 
them toda}-. 

General Capers was listened to with great attention through- 
out, but at times the downpour of rain was so heav}' as to 
almost drown his voice, and the hoarseness caused by speak- 
ing against the rain, forced him to shorten his address. 

At the conclusion of the address, the centre of the pavilion 
was cleared and the band began to play. In an instant tliirty 
or forty couples were on the floor, and the dancing v/as kept 
up all the afternoon. During the day the Edgefield Hussars, 
the Edgefield Light Dragoons and the Capers Light Infantry 
were inspected by General Farley. 

The Hussars, thirty-six men, were officered by S. B. Mays, 
Captain; R. S. Anderson, First Lieutenant; L. A. Brunsou, 
Second Lieutenant; J. J. Holland, Third Lieutenant. 

The Light Dragoons, thirty men, \V. \V. Butler, Captain; 
J. R. Blocker, First Lieutenant; D. D. Brunsou, Second Lieu- 
tenant; J. R. Thompkins, Third Lieutenant. 

The Capers Light Infantry, thirty-eight men, James H. 
Tillman, Captain; B. T. Gardner, First Lieutenant; H. H. 
Townes, Jr., Second Lieutenant; R. L- McKie, Third Lieu- 
tenant. 

• The uniform of tlie new company is a very striking one, 
bright red coats with light blue facings, and white pants. 

This afternoon a meeting was held of survivors of compa- 
nies I and H of the Twenty-Fourth South Carolina, at which 
General Capers presided. A resolution was unanimously 
passed recommending a reunion of the survivors of the entire 
regiment at Columbia at some suitable time. Next August 
was suggested. General Capers was requested to appoint a 
committee with himself as Chairman, to be composed of one 
man from each company in the regiment, with whom he should 
correspond to make arrangements for the reunion. 

The utmost good order prevailed during the day, and not- 
withstanding the rain, the occasion was thoroughly enjoyed 
by all who were present. 

AMBROSE E. GONZALES. 



374 HISTORY OF KDGK FIELD. 

PENN'S DRUG STORE. 

In writing of the town of Kclgefield and its business, I be- 
lieve that I did not make that special mention of Penn's 
Drug SLore that an old and honorable institution like that de- 
serves. It is seldom, indeed, that any business in this 
country where changes are yet so sudden and so rapid, con- 
tinues for thirty or forty years in the same hands, descending 
from father to son, as this has done. It started before the 
war, and was then and for years known as the Drug Store of 
G. L. Penn. P'or a long time, I know- not how long, the bus- 
iness was conducted by \V. B. Penn, the son of G. ly. Penn; 
and now, in August, 1892, I find that the business is again 
that of G. ly. Penn, with the addition of son, making it G. L,. 
Penn & Son. 

This is the way that aristocracies are built up. By the 
transmission of certain noble and superior qualities from father 
to son, and to son again, there comes a fixity of character and 
nobiiit}^ of heart and niind that makes the famil}' aristos, the 
best, for that is all the word meaiis. The best for leadership 
in war; the best for leadership in tae State, and in the councils 
of the nation. The best scholar; the best teacher; the best 
statesman, is the greatest aristocrat. And there may and 
ought to be ail aristocracy in 'ousiness. 

WATERS FAMILY. 

Philemon B. Waters, s3n of Philemon B. Vv'^aters, Vvho was 
one time Slieriff of Newberr}- Count> , mentioned in O'Neall's 
Annals, v.'as born September 1st, 1S07. He recei\'ed a good 
English and classical education — was a lover of literature and 
was an eloquent and gifted man. He married Martha Caro- 
line Chappell, and soon thereafter moved to Prairie Bluff, 
Wilcox County, Alabama. During the vSerainole War in 
Florida he served as Captain of the Wilcox Guards. He was 
much beloved and popular, as is testified by his comrades and 
neighbors. He died in early manhood, July 30th, 1S40. His 
remains were interred with Masonic honors at Prairie Bluff. 

At his death he left surviving him, one daughter, and his 
widow^, who W'as then enceinte. The widow, with her family, 
subsequently returned to Edgefield, S. C. , where she after- 
wards married Bennett Perry. She is yet living (1893, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 375 

February,) nearly eighty years old, near Bouknigiit's Ferry, 
in Edgefield County. The daughter, Sarah Gilliam, first 
married Arthur Dozier, and after his death, John E. Perry. 
She and Philemon B. Waters, the son born aft: r his father's 
death, are living at Johnston, S. C. This son is a lawyer in 
practice at Edgefield, and is also a member of the Legislature 
from that county. He was also Captain of Company "K," 
Second Regiment of Artillery, during the War of Secession. 

PHII.EMON' WATERS, A SOLDIER IN WASHINGTON'S FIRST 

BATTLE. 

The New York Times, June 2Sth, 1891: 

Not counting the Jumonville affair, which, nevertheless, 
cuts quite a figure in French history and literature, the first 
regular conflict delivered by Washington was the battle of 
Fort Necessity, in the Great Meadows, now styled the Glades, 
of the Alleghany Mountains. 

A document, 3-ellow and stained with the accidents of a cen- 
tury and more, has recently been found in Virginia, v.diich 
tells another stor}- of the disappointments of the brave. It 
proves that to be shot and "have 3'our name spelt wrong in 
the Gazette" is but one of fame's man}' mockeries. The sol- 
dier vrhose plaint is here set forth long survived the fight, but 
failed, as it appears, to secure his share of the reward of land 
coy.ferred b}' Virginia upon her soldiers. Led by the current 
of emigration then settling southward, Philemon Waters be- 
came a citizen of South Carolina. 

Among the remote hills of Orangeburg, then practically 
more distant than Oregon is now, he had learned of no limita- 
tion of time for the presenting of his claim. Perhaps, think- 
ing it a safe reserve in the way of legacy to his children, he 
allowed this part of his presumed assets to .slumber unrealized 
for twenty years. Then was informed by a traveler from the 
rallying ground of the small but famous expedition that his 
right had probably lapsed, and that for its revival it behooved 
him to be up and stirring. The steps he took are recorded in 
three manuscript pages of foolscap, as given below. 

The Colonel Hite (misspelled Hight) named in the manu- 
script was a descendant of Jois Hite, one of the first settlers of 
Virginia Valley, familiar in history for his legal contest with 



376 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

Fairfax, which involved the title to 100,000 acres of land, 
lasted just half a century — from 1736 to 17S6 — and ended in 
Kite's favor. The Colonel's visit to South Carolina was 
probably connected with the running off of some of the family 
slaves by the Southern Indians in the French War. Hite 
never recovered his negroes. Possibly their blood might be 
traced in Tan-le-quah, or among the Cherokee remnant left 
behind on the Georgia and Carolina uplands. 

General Steven, who establishes Water's claim to the first 
shot, was a man of note in the lower valley. Among his de- 
scendants ai'e Virginians highly distinguished in the councils of 
the State and the Union. 



Here is the manuscript: 

Charlestown, vS. C, 3rd June, 1772. 
Hon'd Sir: I am informed by several gentlemen from your 
parts, and by Colonel Hight particularly, that there is two 
hundred thousand acres of land laid out on the Ohio River for 
those men that were in the engagement in the year 1754 with 
Col. Washington and your honor at the Meadows. 

I have therefore taken this opportunity to acquaint your 
honor, that I am in the I^and of the living and to beg you will 
write me a letter by Col. Hight, or by the post, directed to the 
post office in Charlestown, in which letter be pleased to inform 
me whether it is worth my while to come and claim my 
property in that survey on the Ohio, or whetr.er there is any 
objections against my receiving it as my dividend iu the Land. 
Your answer to this b}' Col. Hight or the post office will much 
oblige. 

Hond. Sir, 
Your most obdt. huml. Servt., 

PHILEMON WATERS. 
To Col. Adam Stephen in Va. 



Mr. Philemon Waters: 

Sir: I received your favor by Jacob Hite, and had no op- 
portunity of answering before this. 

Your are entitled to Six hundred acres of land by your be- 
ing at the battle of the Meadows, and had it depended upon 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 377 

nie yon should have had a doable share for firiiio- the first gun 
at the enemy that day, July 3rd, 1754. 

That country is settled 100 miles below Fort Pitt, that is 
163 miles below Girt's plantation, and there is a great run to 
it as ever was to Carolina. They could raise about 6000 fight- 
ing men over the mountains. T!:ey whip the Indians when- 
ever .sauc}-. 

It v.-ill be an excellent country in a short time, and some 
spots of land sell at a pound per acre already. I will be glad 
to hear of your welfare. I am 

Dr. Phil. 
Your most huml. Serv't, 

ADAM vSTp:phen. 

Berkeley County, Va., July 17, 1773. 



I do hereby certify that the bearer, Mr. Philemon Waters, 
was a Soldier at the battle of the Great Meadows in the year 
1754, and that he that day applied to me to receive his claim 
to land under Mr. Dinwiddle's proclamation of 1745. But as 
the 200,000 granted by that proclamation hath been long since 
surveyed, distributed, and patents issued in the names of those 
who put in their names before Nov., 1773, it is not in my 
power to give him any relief now. 

Given under my hand this 20th day of April, 1775. 

GEO. WASHINGTON. 



Virginia, Prince William County, 

Sat., 23 May, 1775. 
This day came before me the Subscriber, one of his Majest3''s 
Justices of the Peace for the said Count}^ Philemon Waters, 
Jr., of Orangeburg District, in the Colony of South Carolina, 
and made oath on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God that 
he being a soldier of the battle of the Great Meadows in the 
year 1754, became entitled to a part of 200,000 acres of land 
on th.e Ohio granted by the Hon. Gov. Dinwiddle's proclama- 
tion; and this deponent upon his oath had declared that, being 
a resident of South Carolina, he never heard in any manner 
whatsoever, until about the middle of April last, that an}' 
time was limited for the claimants under the aforesaid procla- 



378 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

mation to come in and make good their several claims to tlie 
above lands, or he, the said deponent, should have used his 
best endeavors to have entered his claim in due time. 

HENRY PEYTON. 



Whether a real Waters ever got his land there is no infor- 
mation. He stands recorded, however, as the first to fire a 
shot in Washington's first battle — the beginning of the long 
vollej^ that rolled from the summit of the Alleghanies to* 
Quebec, Concord, the Brand3-\vine, and Saratoga till it died 
out on the beach at Yorktowu, and that is some satisfaction 
for his descendants. 

[Kindly sent the author and coriipiler by P. B. Waters, Esq., 
of Johnston, S. C, great-grand-son of the hero above named.] 

CAPTAIN LEWIS JONES. 

In the 3-ear 1S92 Captain Lewis Jones, at the age of se\-enty- 
seven, after a long illness died at his home in Edgefield. Pie 
was the last of four brothers and of a family that has made 
itself historic in the annals of the District and County of 
Edgefield. He was vSheriff of the District four years from 1852 
to 1856, and he was without a superior in the discharge of the 
duties of that important office. After he was vSheriiT lie was 
elected to the Legislature, and faithfully discharged the duties 
of a Legislator. At the breaking out of the War of Secession 
he raised a compau}^ of cavalry and joined the Sixth Regiment. 

After the war he was for a luuuber of years President of the 
Atlantic and French Broad Raihuad, and afterv\?ards of the 
Carolina Cumberland Gap, and did as much as any one to give 
Edgefield a railroad connection with the outside world. 

In private life he was pure. In his dealings wuth others he 
was honest, though he had a somewhat cold and stern ap- 
pearance, yet it was appearance only. His friends loved him 
and were bound to him as closel}^ as friends can be to an^^ one. 
He sleeps in the family cemetery on the hill North of the 
village and overlooking it. 

ROBERT W. JENNINGS. 

It is a great pleasure to the writer of this history to trace 
the career of the descendants of the primitive settlers of Edge- 
field and to find that it has been honorable to themselves and 



PIISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 379 

to the land which their foreflithers helped to reduce from the 
condition of wild uncultivated forests to that of blooming 
fruitful fields. Among the early settlers of Edgefield there 
were none more honorable and energetic and useful than the 
Jenningses of Ivittle Saluda. But Edgefield cannot keep all her 
useful citizens. The same spirit that brought the men of 
energy here, is still active in the descendants of those men and 
moves them out and on to other fields of labor and usefulness. 
A grandson of Edgefield, son of R. W. Jennings, born in 
Edgefield, and now proprietor of the Jennings Business College 
of Nashville is rising to distinction, of which he" is altogether 
worthy, in the far off State of Wasliington on the Pacific 
Ocean. Recently (1S92) he was a candidate for the office of 
Attorney-General in the District in which he resides, and 
during the canvas, having been taunted by his opponent with 
his Southern birth with the intent to excite prejudice against 
him, he made this eloquent reply: 

"Yes, sir, I am from Tennessee, and every foot of her soil is 
dear to my heart. I love her mountains and her dales. I love 
her woodlands and her meadows, her rushing rivers and her 
rippling brooks; I love every leaf upon the trees of her many 
colored forests; I love every lark, and linnet, and thrush, and 
golden-throated songster that pipes its morning lay to the 
ri.sing sun; I love all the daisies on her thousand hills; I love 
her sunny skies and her starry heavens, and even here, 3,000 
miles away, upon the Western Coast of America, on the shores 
of Puget Sound, looking out across the broad Pacific to the 
gateways of the day, I fancy, that sometimes upon my cheek, 
I can feel the soft, warm breath of her perfect June days, and 
I seem to be once more 

Among tlie fields of yellow corn. 

Where the bloom is on the rye. 

"I love it all, and if you, sir, think I would deny my birth- 
right to get this office, for once you mistake your man. I 
would not do so for the office of Prosecuting Attorney for this 
or any other county, though it were offered to me upon a 
golden platter set with diamonds. 

Mr. Jennings was elected. He bears the name of his father, 
who went from Edgefield, Robert W. Jennings. 



3So HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

A GRANDDAUGHTER OF EDGEFIELD DISTINGUISHED IN 

PARIS. 

We copy the following from a late number of the Nashville 
Banner. The young lad 3' spoken of is a daughter of Prof. 
R. W. Jennings who lived in our town in his boyhood, and 
belongs to a branch of the old Jennings family of Saluda. For 
man}' j-ears past, he has been at the head of the Jennings 
Business College of Nashville, one of the leading institutions 
of the kind in our country. 

"It will be gratifying to the friends of Misses Mar}^ and 
lyouise Jennings, the accomplished daughters of Prof. R. W. 
Jennings, of this city, to learn that these ladies are achieving 
noteworthy success in art in the Academic Delecluse in Paris 
which the}' are attending. The first medal for the best head 
has been awarded by the academic to Miss Louise in a compe- 
tition in which there were sixty contestants, representing many 
schools and nationalities. Some of the contestants had been 
.students of the New York Art League. This achivement of 
Miss Jennings is not only highly creditable to her, but it also 
reflects credit upon the Nashville school of Fine Arts, of which 
she and her sister were pupils." 

COLONEL DAVID DENNY. 

When the call was made for volunteers for the Seminole 
War in Florida in the year 1836 David Denny, who was then a 
young man living near Perry's Cross Roads on the Saluda side 
of the County, was elected Captain of the company- raised in 
his section. Edgefield furnished three companies; one from 
the Seventh, one from the Tenth, and one from the Ninth 
Militia Regiment, besides some from Hamburg. The names 
of all are given in this connection as taken from the Advertiser 
of February nth, 1836, with the introductory remarks of the 
Editor at that date. 

The following incident in the hi.story of that campaign, so 
honorable to Captain Denny and to the men under his com- 
mand has never been put on record in any book, nor even the 
county newspaper. It was told to the present writer by James 
Y. Culbreath, Esq., .son of William Culbreath, who was a 
member of the company, afterwards confirmed by Mr. Clarke 
Martin, who was also one of the compar.y and was present and 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 38 1 

a witness of the fact. Mr. Clarke Martin also gave me the 
additional information that the fording of the water to reach 
the hammock was just after Sergeant Nicholas Summer, of 
Newberr}', of Captain Hargrove's mounted men, had received 
the wound of which he afterwards died at Tampa. An ac- 
count of that is in the Annals of Newberry. 

Near the close of the campaign the Indians were driven into a 
densely wooded hammock, surrounded, or partially surrounded 
by water, so that they were, for the time, practically inacces- 
sible in any other w^ay than by fording the intervening water. 
Mr. Martin tells me that they could see the smoke I'ising from 
the Indian camp-fires, and the Indians themselves moving 
and dodging from place to place. It was necessary to rout 
them and drive them from their sheltered position, even at the 
sacrifice of a company. Captain Denny's Company was de- 
tailed and ordered forward for the performance of this dut}-. 
The water the men had to pass through was not too deep to 
wade without swimming, but this fact they had to ascertain 
experimentall3^ They were ordered forward, and forward 
they went, completely exposed to any enemy that might be 
lurking and lying concealed in the swamps beyond. When 
about half way, or a little more than half way across. Captain 
Denny faced his men and then called out, "Halt!"' With 
drawn sword, standing waist deep in water, with enemies in 
front of whose numbers they had little idea; not knowing but 
that they were all marching to death, Denny says: "Men, 
remember you are from vSouth Carolina and from Edgefield 
Di-strict! Forward, march!" They went forward, but the 
enemy fled and disappeared at their approach. 

Judge A. P. Butler in speaking of this incident and men- 
tioning that address always characterised it as equal in force, 
energy, compactness, and effectiveness to any he had ever heard 
or read, and was worthy of any commanding officer at any 
time. It was like a solid shot with a true aim and going direct 
to the mark. 

When the War of Secession broke out Colonel Denny again 
volunteered and was elected Captain of a company— went to 
Virginia with it, but being too old for active field service he 
resigned and returned home where he remained performing 
faithfullv all the duties of a farmer citizen until his death. 



382 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

He was a member of the Baptist Church, a faithful and true 
man, doing his duty in all stations in life in which he was 
placed, according to his highest conceptions and perceptions of 
wliat those duties might be. 

GENERAL JAMES JONES. 

This distinguished gentleman, an honor to the State and to 
the County, was the second son of Colonel Mathias Jones, one 
of the pioneer settlers of Ridge Spring; and was born October 
3rd, 1805. He \^as educated at the academy at Edgefield 
Court House, at which institution he was prepared to enter 
the South Carolina College. He graduated in 1S24, in a class 
of nineteen. In the class were Dr. Josiah C. Nott, Professor 
R. T. Bruml3', and James M. Calhoun, sometimes President 
of the Alabama vSenate. At his graduation Dr. Cooper was 
President of the South Carolina College. After his gradr.ation 
he read law at Edgefield and began practice there at a time 
when that Bar had some of the best and most brilliant law3^ers 
in the State. 

In 1827, May 3rd, he married Miss Catherine Eouisa 
Creyon, of Columbia, South Carolina. After his marriage he 
engaged successfully in his profession at Edgefield. In 1836, 
in obedience to his military instincts he raised a companj^ of 
volunteers for the Seminole War. General Milledge L. Bon- 
ham, then a young man, was Orderly Sergeant of the company. 
The reader will find a roll of tiiat con:pany eLsewIicre in this 
book. This company formed a part of the regiment of Colonel 
Abbott H. Brisbane, of which regiment A. G. Magrath, after- 
wards Governor of South Carolina, was Adjutant. After the 
expiration of his term of service in Florida Captain Jones be- 
came Adjutant and Inspector General of South Carolina, 
which office he held acceptably for many years. Becoming 
dissatisfied with the practice of the law he accepted th6 posi- 
tion of manager of the Vaucluse Factory, which is said to 
have been the first cotton factory built in South Carolina. The 
first building was erected by a German named Christian 
Breithaupt, who settled in Edgefield. This building was de- 
stro3'ed b}- fire, but was soon rebuilt. He continued some 
time as Superintendent in partnership with his brother-in-lavr, 
William Gregg, but after awhile sold his interest atid moved 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. . 3S3 

to Columbia in order to assume the duties of the newly created 
office of Commissioner of the new State Capitol, to which he 
h.ad been elected by the Legislature. This office he filled to 
the satisfaction of all until the war came and the work was 
suspended . ' 

On December 21st, 1842, he was appointed by Governor 
Hammond to the Chairmanship of the Board of Visitors of the 
newly created military schools at the Arsenal and the Citadel. 
No better selection could have been made. For more than 
twenty-two 3'ears, without salary, he gave the necessar}' time 
and attention to trie cause of the Military Academy. During 
his time of service here from 1S42 to 1865 he had as his col- 
leagues, Jamison, Hanna, Means, "Wallace, Wilson, Young, 
Perrin, Gage, Simms, regular members, and Adjutant Gen- 
erals Cantey, Dunovatit, DeSaussure, Garlington, and Gover- 
nors Hammond, Aiken, Johnson, Means, Manning, Adams, 
AUston, Gist, Pickens, Bonham, Magrath, ex-officio members 
of the Board of Visitors. 

In 1 86 1 he became Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment of 
South Carolina Volunteers. In 1862- 1863 he served in the 
lower part of the State, wheti he resigned and was made Quar- 
ter-Master General of the State. 

After the war was over, Mr. William Gregg, President of 
the Graniteville Manufacturing Company, being absent for a 
time in Europe, General Jones was induced to remove to 
Graniteville and assume entire control of that business and its 
management. He lived but a short time after this. He died 
of apoplexy on the 20th of October, 1S65, his wife having pre- 
ceded him to the tomb by about three years. On the day of 
his death the sun was in eclipse, and on the 20th of October, 
1892, just twenty-seven years after his death, the sun was 
again in eclipse. But no man's life and death can affect the 
general course of nature. Indeed it seems sometimes that na- 
ture does not care whether we live or die. 

General Jones and his wife had no children of their own, 
but out of the kindness of their hearts they adopted two, a son 
and daughter, of R. H. Nichols and his wife, Susan B. Travis, 
who were teachers by profession and who died suddenly, leav- 
ing these children in distressed circumstances. The children 
added greatly to the happiness of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and are 



384 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

both Still living (1S93). The daughter is Mrs. U. R. Brooks 
and the son is a well known citizen of Columbia, Edward 
Joseph Jones. 

General Jones was a believer in the Code Duello and was 
regarded as high authority on such questions as the Code was 
expected to determine. But to his honor be it said, he used 
the Code as an instrument of peace whenever it was possible 
for peace to be restored between the parties. 

Edgefield may have produced and nourished greater men 
than General James Jones, but few more useful to the county 
and to the State than he. He was captain of a company dur- 
ing the Seminole W^ar in Florida; Adjutant and Inspector 
General of the State; manufacturer; Commissioner of the new 
State House; Confederate Colonel; Quarter-Master General of 
the State, and Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the South 
Carolina Military Schools for twenty-two years, all which posi- 
tions he filled w'ith honor. 

This sketch of the life and services of General James Jones 
is drawn from Colonel J. P. Thomas' History of the Citadel 
Acadeni}' of South Carolina. 

COLONEL T. P. SHAW. 

Colonel Thomas Pickens Shaw was born in Edgefield County, 
June lOth, 1828; died August 2nd, 1S83, at his home near 
Poverty Hill, S. C, in the same county. 

At the commencemerit of the bloody struggle between the 
States Colonel Shaw raised a company and was elected its 
captain. The company was afterwards known as Company 
"B," Nineteenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. 
Colonel Shaw rose by regular promotion, until he became the 
commander of the gallant regiment. At the battle of Frank- 
lin, Tennessee, Colonel Shaw^ was severely wounded while at 
the front in the thickest of the fight, in command of a brigade. 
Several days after the battle he was captured and remained a 
prisoner until the close of the war. 

He was admired for his chivalr}- and bravery; esteemed for 
his ardent patriotism, and loved for his generosity and kind- 
ness. Colonel Shaw was married Januar}- 23rd, 1S68, to Miss 
Mattie Lanier, the daughter of the Honorable Silas Lanier, of 
one of the mo.st prominent families of South Edgefield. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 385 

Colonel Shaw was in his 55th year at the time of his death. 
His remains were laid to rest in Mt. I^ebanon cemetery. 

The gallant soldier sleeps in peace, 
To dream no more of battle fields; — 
In his lonely, narrow bed, 
In the still village of the dead. 



l86 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXXIII. 

THE SCOTT FAMILY, WHO GAVE NAME TO "SCOTT'S 
FERRY," ON THE WESTSIDE. 

Samuel Calliham Scott was born at Scott's Ferry, April 
22nd, 1807, and lived in Edgefield District the greater portion 
of his life. He died in Webster Parish, lyouisiana, August 
5th, 1873. From him is derived about all we know of the 
early history of the family. 

John Scott and his wife, whose maiden name is not known, 
came to America about the first or middle of the eighteenth 
centurj'. John Scott was from the North of Ireland— his wife 
was a Scotch lad3\ 

The names of their children are not all now known, the fol- 
lowing only are remembered: Samuel, known as Read}^ Money 
Scott, James, William, and Joseph. 

They brought with them great wealth in money, how much 
cannot now be estimated, but enough with their thrift and 
energy, afterwards, even from one, Samuel, to make at least 
two of his generations of many families rich. 

Robert H. Middleton, the grandson of Read3' Money, owns 
and now resides on a portion of this estate of Ready Money, at 
Clark's Hill, S. C. 

John Scott and sons brought with them letters or documents 
of credit, or reconnnendations from tire King of Great Britian 
to the Colonists. Samuel, the eldest son, seemed to be favored 
with a grant of land in South Carolina from King George II 
or King George III. 

The following letter may be of interest- here: 

Plum Branch, S. C. , Jan. 7th, 1893. 
Mr. O. PI. P. Scott, Augusta, Ga. : 

Dear Sir: According to promise, have .seen Dr. W. D. 
Jennings, the Encyclopedia, Genealogist, &c., &c., &c. He 
says your great-grandfather, Samuel (Hard Money) Scott, did 
own a town and nearly the entire county, or district as then 
known. He thinks it was Orangeburg City and County. He 
has seen the deeds and plats to Hard Money Scott, granted by 
King George. The deeds and plats are made out on sheep - 



HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 387" 

skin or parchment. Bob. Middletou's father got them years 
ago in Charleston, after the death of old Mr. Middleton, who 
died in Charleston, and was, perhaps. Bob. Middleton's grand- 
father. He sa}^s old John Middleton, the father of Bob., 
brought the package of papers from Charle.ston, and it is 
thought that he never opened the package; nor was it ever 
opened until after his death. I don't know whether Bob. 
Middleton or Geo. D. Tillman, son and son-in-law's attorne}-, 
have the papers. 

He thinks above attorneys will make effort to recover this 
vast amount of property. Tillman's son-in-law, the lawyer, 
says that he is satisfied that the property can be recovered. If 
so, you are undoubtedly an heir to this vast estate. Hoping 
you complete success in life, that you ma)- enjoy most beauti- 
fully the proceeds, &c. 

Yours very truly, 
[Signed.] J. H. JENNINGS. 

This vScott famil}' first settled on the Georgia side of the 
Savannah River, but moved over to the Carolina side, prior to 
the Revolutionar}' War, and established their homestead at the 
place then and to-day known as Scott's Ferr}'. 

Here thej^ were resident during the v/ar of independence, and 
their property continued in the family from Ready Money 
Scott to his son, Samuel Scott, — from him to his only three 
children, Elizabeth, John, and Samuel C. Scott. Elizabeth, 
being the eldest, retained that portion including the ferr}'. 

Elizabeth never married. She willed to Oliver H. P. 
Scott, and William E. Scott, the eldest son of her brother, &c., 
&c. The latter two transferred to parties outside the family. 

James Scott, the next eldest, moved West, on the Alabama 
River. William and Joseph Scott moved to the middle or 
eastern portion of South Carolina. The two latter, being the 
youngest of the original family, entered the American Army, 
and were made, one a Captain and the other a Eieutenant. 
Their names are mentioned in Ramsay's History of South 
Carolina. 

Samuel Scott, (Ready Money) owned and remained at the 
homestead, Scotts Ferry on the Savannah River. He was 
married to Miss Joyce Calliham, a brave and plucky lady of a 
brave, patriotic family of Scotch descent. Her brother, Joel 



3S8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

CalHhani, served as a soldier the entire time of the Revolu- 
tionary War. Served under Sevier at the battle of Kings 
Mountain, and is mentioned by L. C Draper in his history on 
page 424, as one of the Heroes of Kings Mountain. 

Just after the Revolutionary War other records were made 
of the services of the families of Scott and Calliham; but these 
remaining in manuscript have become lost or destroyed. 

Samuel Scott, Ready Money, was one of the pioneers of 
Ninety-Six District, being a man of wealth, of education, and 
a good surveyor, his influence was considerable. He acquired 
the name of Ready Money by being always prepared to pay 
-cash for what he bought, and by always demanding cash for 
what he sold. The story is related of him that he once attended 
:a large sale of tobacco at a warehouse in Augusta, Georgia. 
He was not known to be present. A number of business men 
of means were there to secure the entire lot at a bargain. The 
tobacco was sold in small lots with privilege to the purchaser 
of taking the entire warehouse full if he desired. After a few 
lots had been sold Ready Money commenced to bid. The 
capitalists present not knowing the bidder, and hoping to get 
rid of him permitted the lot on which he had bid to be knocked 
down to him at a mere nominal price. "How much do you 
want, sir?" was the question of the auctioneer. "The entire 
lot," was the ready reponse. "Who's the bidder?" "Ready 
Money Scott, and here it is; I want the keys, sir." In less 
than twenty-four hours he realized quite a large profit on his 
investment selling to these same merchants. 

Scott's devotion to the cause of American Independence was 
proverbial. He was a man deeply interested in the welfare of 
the country — the owner of large landed estates between Sa- 
vannah River and Steven's Creek — all his wife's relatives and 
his own had espoused the cause of the colonies — he lived at a 
very important crossing of the river, Scott's Ferry, recognized 
as a point of military importance — the military establishing a 
fort for its and the country's protection. Pace's Island in 
Savannah River just above the mouth of Scott's Creek and the 
ferry was the rendezvous and hiding place of the tories for 
that portion of Georgia and South Carolina, from which they 
frequently raided the country on either and both sides, using 
this Island or German Island below the ferry to store their 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 389 

Stolen goods. When the fact was discovered that the Tories 
were using these islands as places of deposit for their stolen 
goods none of the neighbors seemed willing to make the trip 
to Ninety-Six where the American army then was, and Mr. 
Scott being then too old and infirm, his wife, Joyce, without 
the knowledge of any one save that of her husband, mounted 
a fleet horse after sundown and at night rode the whole dis- 
tance from Scott's Ferry to Ninety-Six and gave the informa- 
tion to the military there. Lieutenant Joel Calliham with a 
select body of troops was sent down to put a stop to these 
proceedings. He routed and dispersed the whole camp and 
force of Tories, and for a time thereafter that part of the country 
was free from their depredations. 

For this act of patriotism Samuel Scott and his wife Joyce 
were made to suffer at the hands of the detached body of 
Tarleton's troops who visited the place for plunder. Augusta 
at the time was in the hands of the enemy. 

Mr. Scott at the time of the Revolution was too old to take 
part in person as a soldier, but he furnished money, raiment, 
and food, and further encouraged the rebellion by sending and 
keeping in the service of the continental forces, his brother-in- 
law, Joel Calliham, L,ieutenant in Sevier's Regiment. In 
consequence of his zeal and patriotism the Tories and British 
burned and destroyed his dwelling and corn cribs, killed and 
stole his stock, carried off his slaves, and annoyed him in 
many other waj's; but I think those mentioned above quite 
enough. It seems, however, that they were not, for his and 
his wife's feet were burned to make them tell where their 
monej' was buried. In addition to this indignity, his wife, 
with a rope around her waist, was ducked in the Savannah 
River to make her divulge this secret, but without avail. 

The money and plate so buried have not been discovered to 
this day. Family documents, by which the foregoing state- 
ments could be proven, have been lost and destro3"ed. 

The foregomg description seems to have included the de- 
struction of the two raids on this place — Tarleton's, in which 
the two were treated with indignities by him, destroying the 
fields of green corn, ripping up feather beds, &c. , &c. The 
other raid will be described further on, which was more de- 
structive and serious and from a different command. 



390 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Ou this raid from Tarleton's command, one of the Callihams, 
an American soldier, was made prisoner and taken to Augusta, 
Georgia, and placed in their military prison, the walls of which 
are occupied to this da}' and sits on the bank of the Savannah 
River, according to the recollection of my informant on 
Reynolds Street. 

While in the prison Calliham had learned that they wee to 
h^ transferred to safer quarters down the river. Knowing the 
road over which they were to be marched he determined to 
make his escape. He accordingly divested himself of heavy 
wearing appeared and with a long Scotch cloak wrapped about 
his person — having a diagram of tlie British works which he 
had alread}' prepared and tightly folded and placed in his 
mouth, watching his opportunity he suddenly threw off his 
^cloak and leaped ii.to the water under fire from the guards. 
Swimming and diving alternately he made the Carolina side in 
safety, calling at the house of an old patriot lady in a nude con- 
dition she furnished him a suit of her clothes and he proceeded 
to rejoin his command which was at the time near Ninety-Six. 

The following letter is introduced as corrobatory of the 
foregoing facts related. 

The letter is written to Dr. J. J. Scott, of Shreveport, L,a., 
and bears date, Benton, I^a., December 28th, 1892. 

Dear Sir: M3' father, David Thomas, was bora in Edge- 
field District, S. C, in the year 1775 and died in lyouisiana 
1849. He was a nephew to Joyce Calliham, the wife of Ready 
Money Scott, v.'ho lived on the Savannah River above Augusta, 
Ga., and had a ferry that is knovt'n to this day as Scott's Ferry. 
In 1850 I visited among my relatives there and heard much of 
the family history from old kinspeople who are now dead. 
Samuel Scott, better known in that country as Ready Money 
Scott, was a very thrifty farmer. He got his soubriquet from 
the fact that he always paid the read)' money for what he 
bought, and would not sell unless the ready money was paid 
to him. This habit obtained for him the reputation of having 
money, and when the war broke out between the colonies and 
Great Britian, he, having cast his lot with the colonies and 
rendered such, services as are usually given by patriots to the 
cause this espousal brought upon him and his family much 
persecution. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI.D. 39I 

For robbery he was visited from time to time by the Tories 
and the British. One time they destroyed a field of growing 
corn by turning their cavalry horses loose in it, while the men 
plundered the dwelling house and premises. 

Failing to find any money, they ripped up with their swords 
the family featherbeds and gave the feathers to the winds. It 
is a well authenticated fact that old Ready Money Scott was an 
intense patriot, and aided the Colonies in their struggle for 
freedom against Great Britian. 

Yours, 
[Signed.] SAMUEL M. THOMAS. 

At another time a raid was made by the Tories from upper 
South Carolina and North Carolina, supposed to be a de- 
tached body from the noted North Carolina Tory, Colonel 
Fagan's command, operating priucipall}^ in that State. Con- 
necting themselves with the Paris Island gang, they visited 
Scott's Ferry and neighborhood, destroying the place by 
burning his corn cribs, stables, wagons, vehicles, and killing 
his stock — taking wdth them valuable horses and quite a num- 
ber of his slaves to North Carolina. The latter made their es- 
cape near the head waters of the Savannah River, and re- 
turned home in canoes down the river, (foraging on the wa}') 
to Scott's Ferry. 

RECAPITULATION. 

John Scott and wife — from Ireland and Scotland. Children: 

Samuel Scott, the eldest; James Scott, moved to Alabama; 

William Scott and Joseph, moved to the middle part of South 

Carolina. 

Samuel (Ready Money) Scott married Joyce Jane Calliham. 

Children: Samuel, Elizabeth, Polly, Joyce, Nancy, Sallie. 

Elizabeth married John Middleton; Polly married Graves; 

Joyce married Martin; Nancy married Tate; Sallie 

married Mimnis. 

Samuel Scott, the only son, married Miss Mary Baker, of 
Abbeville District, S. C. Children: Elizabeth, the eldest; 

next John, next and last was Samuel Calliham Scott, father of 
Dr. J. J. Scott, Shreveport, La. The father of these three 
children died young, and the widow afterwards married Armi- 
stead Burt and had many children, most of whom and their 



392 HISTORY OF EDGRFIRLD. 

children still live in Edgefield County and Augusta, Ga. 
Elizabeth, the eldest, heiress of the Scott's Ferry tract, died 
unmarried, about 30 years of age, willing her property, land, 
and slaves to her mother, Mrs. Burt, after her death to 
O. H. P. Scott and a cousin of his. 

Samuel Calliham Scott married Miss Martha Collier. Chil- 
dren: O. H. P. Scott, Augusta, Ga. ; Hillary Collier Scott; 
Samuel C. Scott, died young; John Joseph Scott, Shreveport, 
La.; Mary E. C. Scott; James Oscar, Hugh H., Robert H., 
Frances Ann, William E. 

O. PI. P. Scott served in the Confederate States Army, 
Hillary Collier Scott was living in Philadelphia when the war 
broke out. He came South and joined the Confederate States 
Army — was taken prisoner and treated very cruelly — died soon 
after being exchanged. Hugh H. Scott, of Edgefield, saw 
service with Hampton. John Joseph was also in the army and 
is a Confederate Veteran. 

Conclusion: Ready Money died in 1808. In what year his 
wife died is not known. 

THE MARTINS OF MARTINTOWN. 

The Martin family, of Martintown, in Edgefield County, 
were prominent, brave, active, and engergetic Whigs during 
the Revolution, but as Martintown has long since gone to de- 
cay, and as the famil}', from whom the name was derived, is 
almost or quite extinct in Edgefield, it might please the reader 
of this book to find here a few items of the family history. 

I am indebted to the Honorable John Martin, United States 
Senator from Kansas, for the following information: 

The Martin family was of Scotch-Irish origin. The family 
emigrated from the North of Ireland somewhere towards the 
close of the sixteenth century (should be I think seventeenth) 
and settled originally in Caroline County, Virginia. The 
family was a large one, there being .seven sons and one 
daughter. The names of the sons were: Abram, John, George, 
William, Matthew, Barclay, and Edmund. The daughter's 
name was Letty. They resided in Virginia for many years, 
and finally scattered to Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, 
North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina. 

The head of the South Carolina branch of the family, Abram 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 393 

Martin, was born in Caroline County, Virginia, in the year 
1708, and there grew to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth 
Marshall, of Caroline County, who was said to be a niece of 
the father of John Marshall, afterwards Chief Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the United States. Soon after his marriage 
he moved to South Carolina and located in Edgefield District 
and there lived and died. 

He had eight sons, as follows: William Martin, James Mar- 
tin, John Martin, George Martin, Barclay Martin, Edmund 
Martin, Marshall Martin, Matt Martin, and one daughter, 
Letty Martin. 

Of these children, William, the eldest, married Miss Grace 
Waring and left three children, Robert, Elizabeth, and Wil- 
liam. He was captain of artillery and was killed at the siege 
of Augusta. It was this Mrs. Martin who, in conjunction 
with Mrs. Barclay Martin, born Rachel Clay, captured the 
British courier with dispatches while on his waj^ from Augusta 
to Ninety-Six, as elsewhere related. 

The third son, John Martin, was an officer during the Revo- 
lution, Brigadier after the war, and served several years in the 
Legislature. 

He was married three times and left many children, one of 
whom was Judge W D. Martin, of whom something has al- 
ready been written. 

John Martin died in Abbeville District in 18 13. 

Several of this prolific family rose to distiuction. Charles 
was an officer in the Confederate Army and was killed in the 
battle of Keunesaw Mountain. 

John Martin, Senator from Kansas in 1894, is a grandson of 
Matthew Martin of the Revolution, who moved to Tennessee 
and died there in 1846. 

Many more names might be added to this roll of the Martins, 
all worthy, all true men and women; but if all were written 
that might be written of the children of Edgefield abroad, it 
would embrace the world, and the book would soon grow to 
unwield}- size. 



394 HISTORY OF EDGEFIEI.D. 

WERTS FAMILY. 

The Werts family first made its appearance in Newberry in 
the year 1758, and it was not until nearly one hundred years 
thereafter that they crossed Saluda into Edgefield. 

John Werts, son of John and the grandson of the original 
John of the American Revolution, moved into Edgefield in the 
3'ear 1856. He had eight sons and one daughter, Mary. Two 
sons, Elijah and Jacob, and his daughter died young. The 
other sons were: J. Wesley, E. Emanuel, J. Noah, A. Calvin, 
Alfred vS. , and Andrew A. J. Wesley v*'as a Eutheran minis- 
ter, whom I used to know very well. His wife was Caroline 
Derrick. Mr. Werts moved to Orangeburg in 1876, where he 
died in 1883. His widow and three daughters live near Eees- 
ville, in Eexington Count}*. Three sons and one daughter 
live in Orangeburg Count}-; another aon, J. Q. Vv^'erts, who 
married Miss Houseal, of Nev/berry, is a Lutheran minister in 
North Carolina. E. Emanuel married Emmaline Wheeler. 
He was a prosperous larmtT on Halfway Swamp, when he and 
his .son James and one daughter, Rosalie, died in 1S88 of 
typhoid fever. They rest at Trinity. His widow, two sons, 
and two daughters survive him. His son, J. Andrew, married 
Kittie Eong; J. Sidney married Eula Turner; his daughter, 
Sallie, married Thos. A. Pitts, and Ida, Geo. C. Wlieeler. 
These all married well. 

James Noah v/as twice married, first to Catherine Hipp, who 
died before the war. He enlisted in Company K Fourteenth 
Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, was wounded at Gettys- 
burg, and after the war he married Mary Smith, of Edgefield 
County. He died in 1874, leaving no children. 

Calvin A. went to Mississippi in 1S58, but on the breaking 
out of the v,-ar he returned and enlisted in C;>Tipany K Four- 
teenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. He served four 
years under Stonewall Jackson, was wounded at Gettysburg, 
and was present at the surrender of General Eee. He moved 
to Florida in 1866. He was twice married, first to Miss New-- 
come of Florida, second to Miss Boyd of Georgia. His first 
wiie gave him one son and three daughters. He is engaged 
in the cultivation of oranges. 

Alfred S. was a volunteer in Company B Sixth South Caro- 
lina Cavalry during the War of Secession. After the war he 



HISTORY OP EDGEFIELD. 395 

returned to Edgefield and married Christianah Schumpert. 
They reared four sons, William F., R. L,ee, Eugene, and 
Julian. William F. married Eva Long; R. Lee, Eugene, and 
Julian are not married. Their daughters were Nita, who 
married Jefferson Free — she died in 1895 — and Alice, who 
married Spene Maffett — and Sallie, who is not married. 

Andrew A. was quite young when the War of Secession 
broke out. He volunteered in Company H Third Regiment, 
South Carolina Volunteers, and was in every battle in which 
that regiment was engaged. He was wounded at Gettysburg; 
was in the battle of Chickamauga; was at the seige of Knox- 
ville, thence back to Virginia and the great battle of the 
Wilderness. Near the close of the war the Third Regiment 
was sent to Charleston, and Andrew A. then became one of 
the scouts that waded the swamps near Pocataligo, watching 
the movements of the enemy and capturing many prisoners. 
Many a winter night this little band of scouts crossed the 
Salkehatchie River on the burnt timbers of an old bridge, 
sometimes wading waist deep in v/ater, feeling their wa}^, and 
camping without fire, to find their pants frozen stiff the next 
morning. He was in service till the close of the war. 

In 1867 he married Emily May. Eight children were the 
fruits of this union, three sons, J. Rufus, Forrest E., and 
Grover C, and five daughters, Lula R., wife of E. J. Mitchell; 
Minnie L., wife of J. V. Cooper; Dora M., Ella P., ana Alma 
M. are not married. 

J. Rufus makes his home at Ninety-Six, the two other sons 
are with their father. 

Andrew Werts, a descendant of Adam Werts, of Newberry, 
left one son, Eevan M., vvlio lives on Cloud's Creek. Simeon 
O., proprietor of the Johnston Hotel, is a .sen of Henry Werts, 
of Newberry County. 

Members of this family have long been known to the writer 
of this book, and it is a source of pleasure to him to be able to 
say that he has always found them to be strong and true men. 

HALTIWANGER FAMILY. 

Jacob Haltiwanger was born March 30th, 1785, near Chapin, 
Lexington County, S. C. He married Elizabeth Feagle and 
lived for some time in Newberry County. His parents came 



39^ HisTcn^Y oi' i:dgki'iuld. 

io this coinUry from Gcnnauy, aiul his father took an active 
part in the colonial strug:gle for independence. Jacob had 
three brothers and two sisters: Geori;e. David, William. 
Nancy, and Christina. 

William and David both lived near Spring Hill. T^exington 
County. Nancy married Henry Kleazer and lived at Spring 
Hill. Christina married Jacob Huiet and moved to Kdgefield, 
where they lived and died and where .some oi' their descend- 
ants still reside. Georgo lived and died in I.exington Comity. 
He was a Lutheran minister and also SheriiT of his county at 
one time. 

Jacob lived for a while in the Imver section of Newberry 
County, and moved from there to lulgefield County, in iSi-o. 
settling on P^g Creek, near Trinity Church. He had ten 
children, five boys and live giils: George, Nancy, Catharine, 
Levi, WilliLun, Tvcah, Julio Ann, John Klmore, ICnielinc, auu 
Isaiah. 

George was born ^L^y nth, iSi;, ; married ICli/abeth Ann 
Dreher. He had nine children, live of whom are still living", 
three having died in their infancy and one in the Confederate 
War. George graduated at the Lexington (S. C.) Theological 
Seminary, and afterwards at Gettysburg. He was ordained in 
1S40 and preached for some time in Lexington. From there 
he moved to iCbene/.er, Ga., where he preached until liis death, 
March 10th, 1S62. His gentle and loving disposition won for 
him friends among people of every faith. He was one of the 
pioneers of the Lutheran Church in its earlier days. His 
living children are Abner Daniel, who married ]^lla Counts, 
and resides in Columbia; Albert Josiah. married Sallie B. 
Lipscomb, and resides in Atlanta, Ga. ; Paul Ha/elius, married 
Catherine N. Bouknight, and resides in Columbia; Mary Re- 
becca, married Jolni Luther hVllers, and resides in Columbia; 
Arthur George, married Laura C. Cole, of Des Moines, Iowa, 
and resides in Columbia. 

Levi was born April i4lh, 1S19, and married Melvina Atta- 
wa>-. They had nine children. He moved with his family 
many "years ago to Lake City, Fla.. where he still lives. One 
of his sons, Oliver, married Miss Kemp, and lives in Saluda. 

William was born November 22nd, 1S22, and married Sarah 
Proctor. He lived in lulgefield near a station on the C. &. G. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. 397 

Railroad, known as Dyson. In sight of his home stood Sister 
Springs Baptist Church, the oldest church in that section of 
the country. * He did a prosperous mercantile business be- 
fore and after the war. In 1878 his people elected him to 
serve them in the IvCgislature, where he represented them two 
3'ears. He died March 7, 1S89, and was buried in the old 
Trinity burying ground. He had ten children, six of whom 
are still living. Sidney Daniel lives at the old home place in 
Edgefield. Joseph Johnson and Henry are in Walhalla. J. 
William is in Oklahoma. Jacob B. is Auditor of Edgefield, 
and resides there. The only daughter living, Addie, married 
George Wise, and lives near Edgefield Court House. George, 
a son who is dead, was a graduate of Newberry College, 
where he taught for several years. He afterwards practiced 
law. 

Eeah was born November 7, 1825, and married first J. Wes- 
ley Trotter. They had five children. After his death she 
married Samuel Dyer, by whom she had two children, James 
and Alice, who still live at the home place near Trinity 
Church, in Saluda County. Eeah and her husband died and 
were buried the same day at Trinity Church, 

Catherine was born August i6th, 1817, and married Dave 
Boozer. They moved to Mississippi, where they died. They 
had several children, who still survive them. 

Emeline was born January 3rd, 1835, and first married 
Jones Rushton near Batesburg, by whom she had one daugh- 
ter. He was killed in the late war. She then married Mike 
A. Deloach. They had three children. She now lives at 
Ninety-Six, Greenwood County. 

Isaiah was born May i6th, 1838, and married Fannie 
Counts. He lives in Lexington County, in what is known as 
"The Dutch Fork," and has served his county as Clerk of 
Court. He has a large family. 

Julia Ann was born January nth, 1832, and married Jacob 
E. Aull, of Newberry County, and moved to Edgefield, now 



* The Baptist Church, vSister Spring, was overlooked when giving the 
account of the Baptist Churches in the County. I relied upon others, 
pastors and clerks, for sketches of the churches. This being one of the 
oldest it must have been constituted about the year 1800. Chestnut 
Ridge was constituted in 1809. I regret the oversight, but the brethren 
may rest assured that it was not done purposely. 



398 HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. 

Greenwood, near Dyson. She had seven children, six of 
whom are living, two girls and four boys: Elbert H., a gradu- 
ate of Newberry College, and printer and publisher, lives in 
Newberry. Rowena A. , a graduate of Columbia Female Col- 
lege, married Rev. W. \V. Daniel, a Methodist minister, who 
resides in Columbia. Nathan E., a graduate of Newberry 
College, who is teaching in Texas. Eva, who with Wm. B., 
a graduate of Newberry College, and lyiither B., live at the 
old home in what is now Greenwood. 

John Elmore, born November 15th, 1829, and Nancy, born 
December 25th, 18 15, son and daughter of Jacob Haltiwanger, 
died in early life. 

SHEPPARD. 

James Sheppard, father of Honorable J. C. Sheppard, v/as 
a native of Newberry District, but left there v/hen he was a 
5^oung man and first settled in Edgefield about two miles from 
Higgins' Ferr}- at a place where the old Ninety-Six road crosses 
the ferry road. He there did business, mercantile, for some 
5"ears with Mr. William Coleman, father of A. P. Coleman. 
This was about the year 1825. After awhile he moved out to 
the place above the Court House where he lived for many 
years a comfortable and useful life. He continued the mer- 
cantile business, and being prudent, energetic and industrious, 
he naturall}^ prospered. He was not immoderately ambitious 
of distinction in public life, but was at one time a member of 
the General Assembly, as Representative. Of his children by 
his first marriage — he was married twice^I was acquainted 
only, and that slightly, with his son George. His second 
wife, the mother of John C. Sheppard, was a Miss Mobley, 
daughter of Dr. William Mobley. His son George married 
also a daughter of Dr. Mobley. James Sheppard and his son 
George both gone long ago. 

John C. Sheppard is still a young man, and it is not by any 
means too late for him to achieve distinction in public life, if 
he so desires. In 1882, if I mistake not, he Vv'as elected 
Eieutenant Governor, and again in 1884, as there was no op- 
position to the State officers who were then in office. Hugh 
S. Thompson was Governor. In July, 1886, Governor Thomp- 
son resigned to accept the office of assistant Secretar}' of the 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 399 

United States Treasury, and Mr. Sheppard became Governor. 
In 1892 when Mr. Tillman, who had been elected Governor in 
1S90, was a candidate for re-election, Mr. Sheppard was put 
forward by the Conservatives as the opposing candidate. After 
a very warm contest Mr. Tillman was re-elected. Since the 
election Mr. Sheppard has been steadily at work at his profes- 
sion, which is that of law, at Edgefield in company with his 
brother. 

There were other Sheppards also once living in Edgefield 
County, kinsmen of these? One was a Lutheran minister, and 
his name appears elsewhere in -this book in the brief sketch of 
the Lutheran Church. The other was Dr. David Sheppard, a 
practicing physician, who was a surgeon or assistant surgeon 
of a regiment during the War of Secession. He died about 
the year 1890 or 1S91, not long after his second marriage. He 
was an amiable, good man. The minister moved West, and I 
do not known at this time (1893) whether he is living or not. 



400 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXXIV. 

RECOLLECTIONS AND REFLECTIONS. 

Yesterday, August 3rd, 1892, I met the daughter of a man 
whom I once knew and loved, and the granddaughter of a man 
I knew and loved when I was a little boy at school over sixty 
3'ears ago. He was older than myself by several years, but all 
the little boys loved him and lookecFup to him with fond con- 
fidence and trust, as he was so gentle in his deportment and 
bearing towards them; it was impossible for them to do other- 
wise. I do not now remember who our teacher was, but the 
school house was in the piney woods, not far from Pine Pleas- 
ant Church, but before that church was built, before Mount 
Enon was founded, just before that great religious revival that 
swept over the whole country, in which Barnes, Hodges, 
Worthington, and some others did so great a work. 

It is a great pleasure, but at the same time a very sad one, 
to review the past and to call into active being once more those 
persons and events, which now live only in the memories of 
some, or on the pages of the historian. I can see that little 
log school house, with the writing desk running nearly the 
whole length of the school room, with a long open window to 
admit the light. I can see the broad open fire-place, almost as 
wide as the house itself I can see the rude benches without 
backs, and another desk running lengthwise of the house and 
sloping at both sides with a flat space on top — for the use of 
the cipherers and other students to rest their books and slates 
upon. I can hear the children while conning the regular 
evening spelling lesson — such a noise as they made, loud 
enough and discordant enough to wake the seven sleepers of 
Ephesus, if they could be waked at all by discordant noises. 
I can hear the glad shouts ot the boys when school is dismissed 
and the noise made by a falling bench or two, thrown over by 
the boys in their wild, mischievous fun. I can see the girls 
with their bright eyes glancing mischief at the boys. I see 
distinctly one girl, about twelve years old, who walked with a 
slight limp, being a little lame in one foot. I see her coming 
up from the spring with a bottle of milk poised steadily upon 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 40I 

her head without holding or touching it with her hands — this 
she had placed in the morning, in the spring, to keep it cool 
and sweet until noon. I thought her as sweet and pleasant as 
the jug of milk she carried. I can see the boys gathered 
around my friend morning, noon, and afternoon. I can hear 
him say that it seemed to him that everybody must love him, 
for that everybody called him "Bud." Yes, everybody did 
love you, Budd, and they continued to love you until that last 
sad day when you left, and were no longer here to love or to 
be loved. All these are gone; all turned long ago to dust and 
ashes or to spirit, vvhich is more impalpable still. Yes, Budd 
Bryant, it is your daughter's daughter whom I have just seen, 
the daughter of Rev. lyUther Broaddus, whom to know was to 
love — whose presence, whose voice, whose smile has called up 
and made to pass in review the buried memories of over sixty 
years. She is as good, I hope and believe, as father and 
grandfather, and I trust that love may wait upon her steps 
through life. The following lines, written soon after our ac- 
quaintance began, when her father was pastor of the Baptist 
Church at Newberry, aptly express the feelings of the heart: 

TO AILEEN. 

An old time German story tells 

That on the eve before the bells 

Of Christmas ring out clear and sweet, 

A little child with naked feet. 

In tattered garments old and poor. 

Goes softly round from door to door. 

Low knocking, begginec to be let 

Within from out the cold and wet. 

And if one opens, the tale tells, 

Before the ringing of the bells. 

That little child, all glorified. 

Becomes the Holy Christ who died • 

To save the world; and then He breaks 

The bread and gives; and then He takes 

The wine and pours it in the cup. 

And blesses ere they drink it up; 

And then He passes from their sight 

Apparelled in bright robes of light. 

That little child, O Aiken dear! 
That little child comes every year;— 
Indeed, indeed He's always near. 



402 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

And He is softly knocking still, 
And you can open if 3'ou will, 
This holy, blessed Christmas tide, 
To Christ, the one-time crucified, 
To Christ, the child now glorified. 
And say: "Come in, thou heaveul}' Child! 
Abide with me this winter day! 
Abide with me, forever staj-! 

And make me like thyself, holy and meek and mild." 
Christmas, I882. JOHN A. CHAPMAN. 

Miss Aileen Broaddus was married in 1893 — '^^Y she be 
happy. 

AN ACT OF HEROISM. 

The principal actor in the incident I am now about to relate 
is not a native of Edgefield County, but she married in Edge- 
field aPid lived for several jears in that county, and still ovv'ns 
a small property there. Her husband was a native of that 
county, in which he lived his whole life and died, and was 
buried near the place where he was born. And her father, if 
I have not been wrongl}^ informed, was born near Saluda 
Old Town, in Edgefield. The act of heroism itself occurred 
near Ninety-Six, and in Abbeville County, but near the line. 
The actor was Mrs. Susan Chapman, nee Gaulden, who was 
born near Ninety-Six, and now, 1892, lives in that town. The 
hearing of the stor}- moved me so much that I felt bound to 
record it in the Histor}' of Edgefield as one of the heroic deeds 
of one of her man}' noble women. Mr. Gaulden was a native 
of Edgefield. 

On Sunday, the first Sunday in June, 1S90, Mrs. Chapman 
was on a visit to her sister (passing the day with her), who 
lived, if my memory is not at fault here, at their father's old 
place. The children, and some of the neighbors' children, 
were playing about in the 3'ard, and, heedless of danger as 
children always are, were playing about, and running over 
and upon the well. The well was covered; that is, planks 
were laid upon, across, and over its mouth. But it appears 
that the planks were not very strong. At any rate, while 
Alberta M. Davis, a little girl about eight years old, was upon 
it, the middle plank broke and she was precipitated to the bot- 
tom of the well, a distance of over forty feet. Mrs. Chapman 
was in the house with her sister, and as soon as they heard the 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 4O3"- 

cliildren scream they ran out to see what the trouble was. 
They lowered a rope inniiediately, and Mrs. Chapman went 
down, stepping from stone to stone, with which the well was 
walled, holding on to the rope to keep from falling, while lier 
sister held the end above. As soon as she reached the bottom 
she raised and held the child's head above water, until assis- 
tance could be had. Fortunately a negro man was living near 
and in a few minutes he was with them. He descended in the 
same manner Mrs. Chapman had, and brought the child to the 
surface. There seems to have been no windlass nor bucket to 
the well, as Mrs. Chapman ascended holding to the rope and 
.stepping from stone to stone as she had gone down. 

The child was insensible when brought up, but recovered 
consciousness in a few hours, and is now, 1892, a strong, 
healthy girl. 

Mrs. Chap'.nan herself is a very delicate and gentle looking 
woman, and v,'hen asked afterwards how it was that she could 
go down at once to the rescue of the child: "Why," she re- 
plied, "I never thought anything about it at all. The child 
was in tlie well and had to be saved and I went. Somebody 
had to go at once, — that was all." 

Mrs. Chapman is the widow of Andrew Chapman, a nephew 
of the writer. When quite a j^oung man he vras rather wild 
and reckless. This did not last long. He soon became steady 
and industrious, and was an energetic, upright, honorable, 
business man. I do not think I have an}' young relatives to 
whom it is possible fof me to become so vrarmly and devotedly 
attached as I was to him. The reader can understand and ap- 
preciate his sterling character and the estimation in which he 
was held by some others who knew him, when he learns tliat 
Mrs. C. Mower, who was then a leading merchant at New- 
berry and a woman of exalted character, wept when she heard 
of his death. 

COLONEL LEWIS ELZEY. 

I had heard and read of Colonel Lewis Elzey, but his name 
had almost entirely faded out from my mind and memory, 
when I received from a friend a clipping from an old news- 
paper, which gives an account of an interview with him. He 
was then living near Aiken. The date of the intervie.v is not 



404 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



given, nor the date of the publication of the paper in which it 
appeared (only slips were sent me), but I think it was in the 
year 1875, from the dates of advertisements which appeared in 
the same number of the "Advertiser." In giving an account 
of this interview I cannot do better than to copy it verbatim. 
Who the "reporter" is I have no means of knowing: 

Reporter — What is your age. Colonel Elzey? 

"I am 83 years old — was born In Virginia before the Revo- 
lutionary War — was a lieutenant in the regular army during 
the war of 18 12 — encamped at L,ower Sandusky, on Lake Erie, 
during the naval fight of Com. Perry — could hear the guns 
and see the smoke, but could not-see the vessels." 

Reporter — You are not a graduate of West Point, how did 
you get a commission in the regular army? 

"Well, at that time there were not more than four or five 
graduates in the whole army. Scott was not a graduate. I 
got my commission by the recommendation of a member of 
Congress." 

Reporter — Did you return to private life after the close of 
the war? 

"Yes, I went back to Virginia." 

Reporter — You knew man}- of the celebrated men of your 
State? 

"I knew Jefferson, Monroe, Chief Justice Marshall, John 
Randolph, and others. When President Monroe returned to 
Virginia, his term as President having expired, he took the 
position of Magistrate in Loudon County, land acted for a good 
many 3'ears; but the office of Magistrate in those days was al- 
ways filled by men cf talent and eminent character — not like 
the d — d Trial Justices of these days, for they are the greatest 
curses in the annals of time. The oldest Magistrate of the 
county, in those days, became Sheriff, although they never 
occupied the position, but farmed it out and gave the proceeds 
to charitable purposes. I knew Jefferson by sight; he fre- 
quently came up in the country where I lived, near Winches- 
ter. He was very popular with the common people. Chief 
Justice I^Iarshall was a very plain man in his dress and manner 
— very much like Chancellor Harper of this State. I have 
often seen him with his knee buckles loose, flapping about his 
legs, and sometimes half of his coat tail would be off. We 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 405 

used to laugh at him about helping an old woman catch her 
chickens, who had brought them to town for sale. They got 
out of her basket and Mr. Marshall ran all over the streets to 
catch them for her." 

Reporter — Did Chief Justice Marshall have any brothers? 

"Yes, Charles and Jim. Charles was dissipated. Jim was 
immensely wealthy, but would never hold any office." 

Reporter— Was not this plainness of dress affected by Mr. 
Marshall? 

"No, all the Marshalls were that way. Jim Marshall dressed 
his children so badl}' that they once complained to my father 
that they were not dressed as well as the other children in the 
neighborhood. My father spoke to Jim about it, and he said: 
'Captain Elzey, people know that Jim Marshall is rich — very 
rich — and what is the use for him to dress his children so fine? 
You can spoil children very easily. When j^ou used to come 
to m}^ father's house I have many a time hunted eggs for yoiu" 
dinuer in my shirt tail.' 

"Chief Justice Marshall once sent word to a Mr. Duvall, 
with whom he was not personally acquainted, that he and 
family would dine with him on a certain day. When the day 
arrived, Mr. Marshall rode on before and his carriage with 
family came on behind. When he reached Mr. Duvall' s 
house, he asked if he could get dinner. Duvall £aid: 'No, you 
can't get dinner; I am expecting Judge Marshall and family to 
dinner, and as they are very fine people I should not like to pre- 
sent you to them. ' The Chief Justice responded that he knew 
Mr. Marshall's family very well and he believed he would 
stop anyhow. Duvall was very much taken down when he 
found that the ordinary looking guest was the Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of the United States." 

Reporter — When did you come to South Carolina? 

"I came to Charleston, S. C, in 18 16, with a drove of horses, 
made lots of money on them, and got on a spree. . Horses were 
worth more then than they are now, that is, fine horses. Fine 
horses are worth more in Kentucky than they are here. When 
I first came to Edgefield, in 1816, there was plenty of game in 
the woods; we once, in a camp hunt, killed eleven deer on 
Shaw's Creek. There was a paper published at Edgefield 
then bv Mr. Landrum, called 'The Hive.' " 



406 HISTORV OF EDGEFIKLD. 

Reporter — Who were the lawyers at Edgefield in iSi6, and 
what kind of lawyers were they? 

"There was Glascock, Edmund Bacon, Jeter, Eldred Sim- 
kins, McDuffie. Edmund Bacon was a fine speaker, graceful 
in manners and gesture, very cunning in his ars:uments, and 
had the most musical voice I have ever heard. P^ldred Sim- 
kins was a book-worm. Jeter was Solicitor, and a very sensible, 
practical, and short speaker. McDuffie was a great orator, 
but he v^as awkward in his manners in private, and got very 
much excited in speaking — sawed the air with his hands. Glas- 
cock was a forcible speaker, but never studied his cases — used 
frequently to hunt foxes all the morning and make an argu- 
ment in the evening. I never knew him to study but one 
case, and that was a case he had in Beaufort, in which he de- 
fended a man by the name of Spavins against a man by the 
name of Spikes. He went down to court three days before- 
hand, and there he heard for the first time that Petigru and 
Billy Martin (Judge Vv. D. Martin) were om the other side, 
'and, by G — -u,' said he, 'I had to study.' I remember one 
remark he made to the jur}-: 'Spikes, gentlemen of the jury, 
is the plaintiff in this suit, and Ife has tried to spike this case, 
not with ten penny nails either, but if you, gentlemen, don't 
spike Spikes. I am mistaken.' He gained his case. 

"Nathan Grifnn came to the bar afterwards, about 1824. I 
think he was in partnership with Judge Butler, and never 
made a speech until after they dissolved, and they were part- 
ners ten or twelve years. Mr. Griffin then became one of tlie 
most effective jury lawyers in the State. His style v/as con- 
-versational, which always wins in the long run. Mr. Griffin 
was a good judge of human nature, and an excellent examiner 
of witnesses; he was ver}- punctilious and sy.stematic. I vras 
not a great admirer of Mr. Calhoun. INIr. Griffin once said to 
nie: 'Elzey, Calhoun is ten years ahead of his age.' 'Well,' 
said I, 'if h& is that far ahead I shan't try to catch him.' 
Judge Gant used to hold court in Edgefield when I first came 
here. He was a fancy man. I remember he once lectured on 
temperance while he lived at Mt. Vintage — met me the next 
daj' — 'Elzey,' said he, 'I didn't mean that lecture for you, but 
for them d — d A's. in your neighborhood; for the drunker they 
get the more religion they have. ' ' ' 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 407 

NINETY-SIX. 

As Edgefield and Saluda Counties were once part of the 
large District of Ninety-Six, of which the town of Ninet3'-Six 
was the capital, I feel that I ought to insert the following le- 
gend, which accounts for the origin of the name. This w-as 
written for the history of Abbeville, but I feel sure that the 
reader will not regret its insertion here, as Edgefield and Abbe- 
ville were once parts ot the same great district. 

There is always a reason for the names of places. A place 
is either named after some eminent man or woman, or it is im- 
ported by the settlers of a new place and given to it through a 
fond recollection of their old home, and a desire to carry the 
name with them if they cannot carry the place. In this way 
only recently a Newberry has sprung up in Florida; in this way 
Newberry itself was brought from England and planted here; 
in this way Abbeville derived its name, and it is a good one, 
pleasant in sound, pleasant in fact, and must have been very 
dear to those good Huguenots who brought it with them from 
the vine clad hills of France. 

There are many Indian names of places, and rivers, and 
streams, of which Saluda is one, all over the State. I would 
that there were more; but Ninety-Six is not one, it is verj^ de- 
cidedly English. Ramsay does not tell us its origin; nor does 
any other history with which I am acquainted. I do not think 
that I have ever seen the story in print, though surely it ought 
to have been, and may have been long ago. It was told to me 
as a legend or tradition when I was quite young. I remember 
crossing Eighteen Mile Creek and, I believe, Twenty-three 
Mile Creek, and hearing the names of others when they were 
given to me when the story wms told. Shall I tell the story, 
or try to tell it here? I feel sure that I shall mar it in the 
telling; but as it gives name to >7inety-vSix, as well as other 
localities on the route, it must be told. It is a story of love, 
of the love of a beautiful Indian maiden devoted to the welfare 
and safety of her white lover, who was at that time many 
miles distant from her. She wanted to give warning of the 
approach of danger, as Pocahontas gave warning to the 
English of a threatened attack upon Jamestown. This Indian 
maiden, whose home was in the neighborhood of Fort Prince 
Qeoi-ge— Keowee— of the tribe of the Cherokees, learning of a 



408 HISTORY OF EDGKFIRLD. 

contemplated attack upou the white settlements below, which 
were then very weak, and among whom was her chosen youth, 
determined to give them warning. Learning of the time fixed 
for the departure of the braves, she anticipated it by a few 
hours; passed over the ninety-six miles which lay between 
Keowee and her destination in less than twenty-four hours, 
gave the necessary warning, and saved the settlement from de- 
struction. The place at the end of her journey has ever since 
been called Ninety-Six in commemoration of her heroic deed, 
and her name is kept alive in the thoughts and memories of 
men by leing used as the name of a hotel, or house of rest for 
weary travellers at Anderson. It is a soft, sweet name like 
many others used by the Southern Indians. The very soul of 
music and of poetry breathes through many of them. Her 
name was Chiquola, and surelj' a weary traveller could sleep 
well in a house having such a euphonious title. Of the after 
life and fate of this heroic Indian maiden, the storj'' relates 
nothing. 

Such is the sweet poetic legend that I have always heard 
connected with Ninety -Six, and as having given it name. And 
yet, in spite of all poetic sentiment, the name was changed by 
Act of the General Assembly on the 8th of March, 1787, to 
Cambridge. The words of the Act are as follows: 

'''Be it enacted, That from and immediately after the passing 
of this Act, the town heretofore called by the name of 96 
shall be known and called by the name of Cambridge and no 
other; any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwith- 
standing. JOHN LLOYD, 

President of the Senate. 

JOHN JULIUS PRINGLE, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. ' ' 



As Cambridge it continued to be the capital and seat of jus- 
tice of an extensive territory, which continued to be known as 
Ninety-Six District until it was cut up into the counties of 
Edgefield, Abbeville, Newberry, Laurens, Spartanburg, and 
Union. As Cambridge it became a seat of learning (having 
a chartered college) and intelligence, of wealth and influence. 
As Cambridge it was the home of some eminent lawyers, who 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 409 

became judges and men of great influence in the State for 
many j^ears. As Cambridge it was a beautiful and flourishing 
place for some years. But now, in spite of legislative enact- 
ment, it is almost forgotten that the name Cambridge was ever 
used. The town has vanished, leaving only the fragments of 
a house or two to mark the spot, and a few large oaks to shade 
it. These, too, have disappeared, as I have been told, since I 
wrote the above sentence, and nothing now appears to show 
that Cambridge ever was. The name Ninety-Six still clings 
to it, though transferred to the new town on the G. &.. C. 
Railroad, which runs near. 

ANNE KENNEDY. 

I hope, in fact I know, that the readers of the History of 
Edgefield will not be sorry to see the following anecdote in- 
serted here. It belongs to the History of the State, but did 
not come to the knowledge of the writer until about the close 
of the year 1896, or the beginning of 1S97. I hope to see it 
inserted in a future edition of that work — Chapman's History 
of South Carolina. The anecdote is related by Mr. D. H. 
Russell, of Anderson, a great-grandson of the heroine. 

At the time the incident occurred Anne Kennedy was about 
18 years of age, and lived at Hamilton's Ford, on Broad River, 
in York District. The Tories came to her fatlier's house to 
burn it. She was sitting carding wool rolls to make clothes 
for her father and brothers, who were with Sumter. The 
band stopped in the yard and one of them went in the house 
and picked up a chunk of fire to set the house on fire. She 
.seized the intruder and proved to be the stronger and more 
powerful, and succeeded in forcing him to the edge of the 
piazza. And getting him by the collar and by the seat of his 
pants, she threw him headlong into the yard. He was so en- 
raged that he seized his gun to shoot her, but the others were 
so amused at a woman's handling him so easily that they pre- 
vented him from doing it. In the scuffle he pressed the chunk 
of fire againsther left wrist to force her to release her hold, 
but she would not let go. The scar remained on her wrist 
through life, and she carried it with her to her grave. She 
died in 1836, and is buried in Anderson County. 

"My great-grandfather," says Mr. Russell, in communicat- 



4IO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

itig these facts, "lived until I was 12 years old, and I 
have often heard him relate the story, and have also frequently 
heard it from my grandfather. On my way home from the 
surrender in 1865 I passed through York County and spent a 
night with her nephew, Kennedy Hamilton, who reported the 
story to me and the next morning sent his son Robert with me 
to see the site where the house stood on a high hill overlooking 
Eroad River." 

COTTON IN 1808-1818-1819-1820-1822 and 1824. 

Here is a copy of an old letter giving price of cotton in 1808. 
The letter is addressed to Major Zack S. Brooks, Edgefield 
District, by his negro man, Saint: 

"Charleston, 15 Dec'm, 1808. 
""Major Zack S. Brooks, Sir: 

"We have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of 
yours, dated the 8th instant, consignir.g us Fifteen Bales of 
Cotton weighing fort3'-fix hundred and seventy-nine pounds, 
and we have herewith enclosed you the weight of each bale of 
cotton for your information, wherein you will find that we 
have noted the eight bales of Mrs. Brooks. It being impossi- 
ble to procure your limits for your cotton at present, for the 
very primest and best qualities of cotton is selling at eleven 
-cents per lb. , have in consequence thereof put your cotton in 
store, and shall wait your further instructions as to the sale. 
We have sent in conformity to your order sundr}' store goods, 
amounting to Fifty-five poundr, Eleven Shillings, and Six 
pence, which is at your debit we v/isli them safe to hand and 
that the}' may be perfectly to your liking. You will find that 
we omitted sending to you tlie Six Barrels of Salt, which is in 
■consequence of the advance in price which has taken place on 
this article. It cannot be procured at present under 5s. lod. 
per Barrel in our market. We therefore was of opinion that 
you would have rather been without this article as we sent 
you a waggon load not long since. Mr. A. Deliard did not 
leave a Tobacco not with us as you expected or we should 
have attended to j-our instructions. 

"We are Respectfully Sir, 
"Your Ob't. Servants, 

"JOHN AND CHAS. BULOW." 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 411 

Here is a copy of another old letter giving prices of cotton 
and other things ten years later. This letter is addressed to 
Mr. Jonathan Weaver, Edgefield District, S. C. : 

"Charleston, Nov. 25th, 18 18. 
"Mr. Jonathan Weaver. 

"Dear Sir: Within is the sales of yonr cotton, which we 
hope will please. We also .send you agreeable to your order, 
as by the within bill, which we hope will also please you. 

"The price of West India Rum was One dollar 20 cents, and 
it being only 3 proof, and 4th Proof Jamaica being only $1.45, 
we were under the impression that it would suit you best, be- 
cause in addition to the rum being better than W. I. it is 
cheaper, because it will bear much more water. 

"The balance of two hundred and forty-two 91-100 dollars 
remains in our hands subject to your order when called for, as 
we had no instructions what to do with it. 

"Cotton is at present 29, but we are not certain how long. 
It will be lower, as it is continually declining in price. 

"We are under the impression that it will come down to 25 
or 26 cents, but that it will eventually rise again; we think 
that it may in the spring command 30, but that is uncertain; 
it is only our opinion. 

"Groceries of almo.st every description are high: Sugar, 14c. 
lb; Molasses, 65c. @ 68; Coffee, 35c., y})^; Coarse woolens are 
high; Fine woolens and cotton goods much as last season. 

"We are. Dear Sir, with sentinj.ents of respect and esteem, 
3-our obedient humble servants, 

"BOYCE & JOHNSTON." 



One year later, December ist, 18 19, I find that cotton was 
considerably lower than the p-ices paid by Messrs. Boyce & 
Johnston. 

The original bill now lying before me shows that John 
Abney, on the ist December, 1S19, sold to Charles O'Neale 6 
bales of cotton, total weight 1908 pounds, 15 J 3 cents per 
pound, amounting to $295.74. And 5 bales of cotton, total 
weight, 1574 pounds, at 16 cents per pound, making 

^244.5i>^. . •, , T 1 1 

The reader will note that the prices paid by John and 



412 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

Charles Billow was a few years before the war of 1812 with 
Great Britiaii. After the war prices were high and again went 
down as with us after the War of Secession. 

From a letter from Charles O'Neale to John Abney, Esq., 
dated Charleston, Jmie 13th, 1820, I learn that cotton at that 
date was worth in Charleston money 17^2, in Bank of Darien, 
Ga., money 18 cents per pound. 

And in a letter from the same to the same, dated Charles- 
ton, 4th September, 1822, it is stated that "prime old cotton 
is selling at i2i'^cts— very good nets — inferior 9 @ locts — I 
am under the impression that now if prime will open @ 12^ @ 
1 3cts — perhaps a few bales that first comes in may rate some 
higher — I do not think it a safe article to deal in without you 
could lay it down here at i2^4cts. " 

Then follows a bill for bagging and rope: 

Mr. John Abney, Juu. 

To Charles O'Neale. 
To 4 Ps. Cotton Bagging, 42 in — 

61 — 60—60—62, 243 yds., @ 45;V cts Iioe.si^j' 

I Coil rope, 691b @/ 14 9.66 

And a little later I find cotton from this part of Edgefied 
finding a market nearer home than Charleston — price a little 
better than in September, 1822. 

The original bill now lies before me, dated 

Hamburg, Jan. 14, 1824. 
Sproull & Pinchback. 

Bot of Matthew Coleman. 

1 Bal Cotton C. C. 335=2=333lbs. c. 13 77-100 $ 45.85 

10 " " 3249=20=3229=® 13 77-100 444-63 



Deduct mending 38 



Hamburg was a new town ten or fifteen years old when this 
cotton was sold there. This, I suppose, must be the same 
William Pinchback mentioned in the Annals of Newberry, 
page 120, new edition. Judge O'Neall says of him that he 
was one of the old inhabitants of Newberr}*, and that he built 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 413 

the corner house on Caldwell and Boyce streets, once occupied 
by Mr. Bierfield as a hotel. He came to Newberry from 
Chester, in 1810 or 1811 — was a cabinet maker by trade, but 
became a merchant, and like Pratt and Boyce, made one or 
more trips North, carrying out cotton and returning with mer- 
chandise. He removed to Charleston and there did business 
as a cotton speculator and realized a fortune in 1825. He 
afterwards lived many years in Abbeville District, and there 
owned a large and valuable plantation. He finally moved to 
Mississippi, where he died in 1848, leaving neither wife nor 
children. His large estate went, of course, to the nearest of 
kin. 

PRICES MARCH 3RD, 1 82 I. 

And here again is another old bill, the original of which 
now lies before me, showing the prices of such articles a good 
many years ago: 

Augusta, March 3rd, 1821. 
Mr. John Abney. 

Bot of Crayton & Sloan. 
C Plough Molds, 51 lbs, Oj; .■] $ 3.57 

1 Coil rope, 54lbs, @ .14 7.56 

2 Ye planes i.oo 

30 llJs Sugar 3.15 

20 " Coffee 6.25 

2 bags 25 

121.78 
Recevd Payment, 

P. E. DUNCAN. 

I hope the reader will not regret ths space taken up by 
these old accounts, nor the time consumed in reading them. I 
confess that I have a weakness this way, in that I take great 
pleasure in looking over old letters and papers sixty, .seventy, 
or a hundred years old. I have an old letter written in 1783 
to a gentleman in Charlesten about the collection of rent then 
due on a house in the city, and telling how to proceed. 
THE FIRES OF EDGEFIELD. 

On the morning of the 30th of October, 1881, the business 
part of the town of Edgefield w^as laid in ashes. Just three 
years thereafter, wanting a few days, October 21st, the same 
part of the town was again burned. Only one of the new 



414 HISTORY OK KDGEFIKLD. 

buildings erected after the fire of 18S1 was saved. Tliat was 
Mr. Alvin Hart's. 

Again, a little less than eight years, a third fire, the most 
disastrous and de.structive of all swept the town. This last fire 
occurred on the night of Thursday 21st of January, 1892, at 
about half past eleven o'clock. The flames were first discov- 
ered bursting from the deep and wide basement of the old 
Masonic Hall, in which was the Advertiser printing and pub- 
lishing office. vSoon almost the entire population of the town, 
whites and black, male and female, were upon the square. 
There was but little wind, and the flames from the burning 
building shot straight upwards towards the sk}'. 

The buildings West of the Hall could not be saved, and all 
efforts were centered upon saving the Folk law office and the 
new McHugh building at the lower end of Park Row. These 
were saved; Park Row was saved — the Farmer's Loan and 
Savings Bank; tlie Chronicle office and the two new Butler 
stores. By half past twelve Dr. Parker's dental office and 
Abney's old law ofiice, in which this writer has passed many 
pleasant hours, were entire!}' gone. And now the flames 
swept the entire East end of the old Ryan Hotel, which was 
of wood. The young people were dancing a Gennan in this 
house, and the young men, as soon as the alarm of nre was 
raised, and it was known that the hotel would burn set to work 
and moved out the new and liandsome furniture of Major 
Anderson. 

The jail was saved by hard and faithful work, the colored 
men wei'e ahead in this work and strove with the greatest zeal 
and intrepidit3^ Soon the roof was thoroughly wetted and 
covered with wet blankets, and the jail was saved. 

The Ryan Hotel, the old Gray house, the Whittaker Hotel, 
the contiguous wooden buildings at the corner of the square, 
the old Bryan brick store (Kearsey saloon), the lai'ge brick 
building, owned by Mr. D. A. Tompkins, were all swept 
away. 

In reading the accounts of this fire, as published in the 
papers at the time, it is surprising to find so little insurance on 
the property destroyed. The citizens must have felt that they 
were surely exempt from the ordinary calamities by fire. On 
Masonic Hall and the Edgefield Advertiser there was no insur- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 415 

auce — loss, $13,000; nothing saved ; owned by Thomas J. Adams. 

Mr. Iv. E. Jackson, with a stock of goods valued at $2,500, 
liad insurance for $1,000. 

Dr. Parker had no insurance — loss $2,000 or more. Upon 
the Ryan Hotel there was insurance to the amount of $4,000. 

Mrs. Whittaker, the owner of the old Gray House, had no 
insurance. 

Governor J. C. Sheppard, owner of the corner store, had 
$500 on it. 

Major R. S. Anderson of the Hotel had $i,ogo on his furni- 
ture. 

Mr. J. A. Bennett, owner of the old Bryan brick store, had 
$500 on it. 

Upon the large brick buikliiig of Mr. D. A. Tomkins near 
the jail there was no insurance. 

J. H. Paul & Go's, saloon lost about $800, no insurance. 

The losers went to work immediately and Edgefield will 
soon be more prosperous and better looking thaii ever. 

THE PINE HOUSE. 

The Pine House, or Piney Woods House, is one of those old 
historical landmarks that has been known in the county for 
considerably over one hundre ■ years, in fact ever since before 
the Revolutionary War. It vs-as then called the Pine}' Woods 
House. If I am not mistaken it has been in the ownership of 
the Bettis family ever since a period anterior to the Revolu- 
tionary War. They were probabl}' the first settlers and 
owners. On the 17th of March, 1893, Benjamin W. Bettis, 
the patriarch of the Pine House passed away at the advanced 
age of eighty-tv.'O j^ears. Surel}- it must have been a happy 
home with pleasant surroundings to hold one through a long 
life of upwards of eighty years. There are very few who pass 
through so maii}^ years and die at the place on which they 
were born. Life to such fortunate persons must learn at last 
to glide on like a calm and placid dream and death at the end 
is a waking up rather than a dropping to sleep. The writer 
and compiler of this history sometimes groves sentimental and 
yields placidly to the mood and feels like letting time and tide 
flow on and on forever and do nothing himself but simply glide 
along. 



4l6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Trenton, a railroad town built near the Pine House, is a 
lively, thrifty little place, but the writer of this book once 
passed a dreary five hours there waiting for the train from 
Augusta, and there he avenged himself writing some doggerel 
verses which he thought of printing here, but does not. 
EDGEFIELD VILLAGE 

Pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly, passed the 
i4tli day of March, 1795, establishing county courts and reg- 
ulating the proceedings therein, the following Justices, ap- 
pointed and duly qualified, for the Count)^ of Edgefield, met at 
Edgefield Court House on the second Monday, being the nth 
day of July, 17S5, and proceeded to the appointment of a Clerk 
as directed by law. Justices present, Leroy Hammond, Ar- 
thur Simkins, John Pervns, Benjamin Tutt, John Moore, and 
William Anderson, 

The Justices constituing a quorum, unanimously appointed 
Robert Stark to be Clerk of the County Court, who took the 
oath required by law^ The County Court continued to hold 
sessions at Edgefield Court House until abolished by the Act 
of 1799. 

The first court of General Sessions held at Edgefield Court 
House, as shown by the journal in the Clerk's office for Edge- 
field, (then District) met agreeable to law on Monday the 24th 
day of March, iSoo. Present his "Honor Lewis Trezevant, 
Esq. ' ' 

The Court ordered the commission of his Honor published, 
read, and to be entered on record. The commissions of 
Sampson Butler, Sheriff, and Richard Tutt, Clerk, were also 
read and ordered to be recorded. These officers had pursuant 
to law drawn on the 22nd day of February, 1800, the grand 
and petit jurors. Previous to the Act of 1799 the Court of 
General Sessions was held at Cambridge in the old Ninety-Six 
District from its establishment in 1769 to iSod. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



417 



CLERKS OF COURT FROM 1788 TO i 

George Pope 178S-1S00 

R. Tutt . . . ' 1800-1808 

Stan. Butler 1808-1814 

M. Mims 1814-1822 

Daniel Byrd 1S22-1830 

J. A. Richardson .... 1830- 1834 

H. Bo ul ware 1834- 1836 

George Pope 1S36-1S44 

Thos. G. Bacon .... 1S44-1860 



S. Harrison rS6o-i868 

A. Ramsy 1S68-1872 

W. D. Ramsy 1S72-1874 

Jesse Jones (col. ) . . .1874-1876 
O. Y. Cheatham .... 1876-1S84 

B. E. Nicholson, 18S4 to Mar., 18S5 
D. R. Durisoe, March, 1885, to 1888 
J. C. Williams 1888-1892 



John B. Hill 1892 

ORDINARIES AND PROBATE JUDGES FROM 1795 TO 1892 

ORDINARir;S, 



R. Tutt 1795-1803 

John Simkins 1 803-1833 

J. Richardson 1833- 1835 

O. Towles . ..... . 1S35-1844 

John Hill 1844-1 85 1 

H. T. Wright 1S51-1855 

W. F. Durisoe 1855-1S68 

SHERIFFS. 

The list of Sheriffs as given me is imperfect and imcomplete, nor are 
the times of service given in all cases. The earlier Sheriffs were Wm. 
Thurmond, James Butler, Edmund Belcher. 



PROB.\TE JUDGES. 

D L. Turner 1 868- 1874 

A. N. Baney (col.) . . . 1S75-1876 

L. Charlton 1876-1880 

L. P. Covar 1880- 1882 

W. F. Roath 1882-18S8 

J. D. Allen 1S88- 



James Eidson 1S56-1860 

Wm. Spires 1860- 

John T. Gaston . . . .1S76-18S0 
W. H. Outzs 1892- 



W. H. Moss 1S36-1840 

S. Christie 1840-1844 

H. Boulware 1844-1848 

S. Christie 1848-1S52 

Lewis Jones 1852-1S56 

Isaac Bowles was appointed Sheriff after the war. Hardy Walls suc- 
ceeded him in 186S. Walls resigned and the negro Coroner named Car- 
roll filled the office until the appointment of J. A. Richardson. 

COMMISSIONERS IN EQUITY AND MASTERS. 

Whitfield Brooks, James Terry, Arthur Simkins, Z. W. Carwile, S. S. 
Tomkins — W. F. Roath, Master, who is now, 1892, in office. 



41 8 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 



XXXV. 

The seven company rolls following are from the original 
rolls as the companies were raised and formed* in 1861 and 
1862, and were kindly copied and sent to me by Mr. J. R. 
Wright, of Ninety-Six: 

NINETY-SIX RIFLEMEN. 

Thomas G. Bacon, Captain; Elbert Bland, First Lieutenant; 
Stewart Harrison, Second Lieutenant; J, A. Bland, Third 
Lieutenant; James A, Dozier, First Sergeant; M. B. Weaver, 
Second Sergeant; H. W. Addison, Third Sergeant; M. Miles, 
Fourth Sergeant; John Carwile, Fifth Sergeant; Moses Harris, 
First Corporal; R. Gregory, Second Corporal; T. Vaughn, 
Third Corporal; R. Cogburn, Fourth Corporal; Daniel Chris- 
tian, Fifth Corporal; Charles Mathis, vSixth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

J. F. Adams, J. Allman, J. E. Bacon, A. Broadwater, W. S. 
Boyce, A. Burt, J. Busby, H. Cato, J. Carpenter, L. Clark, 
W. M. Clark, J. B. Courtney, J. P. Courtney, Wm. Clark, 
Wardlaw Covar, W. Crawford, G. Crawford, R, M. Cogburn, 
E. T. Davis, J. Earley, M. Eidson, L. Gomillion, M. Glover, 
J. Grissom, M. Grice, S. B. Griffin, B. Grice, J. B. Harris, 
Alfred Hatcher, W. E. Hobbes, E. Holsonbake, L. Holson- 
bake, J. B. Hodges, J. T. Hagood, L. S. Johnson, G. John- 
son, Harmon Kisic, J. Long, W. R. Long, M. B. Lyles, Mike 
Lebeschultz, W. Lott, W. Littleton. B. F. Lovelace, J. C. 
Lovelace, B. F, Mayer, P. B. McDaniel, S. McDaniel, J. 
Mayer, S. Murphy, J. A. Nicholson, J. Oftman, T. D. Padgett, 
T. H. Prescott, Nat. Ramey, H. Ripley, Simkins Riddle, B.J. 
Ryan, B. Y. Ryan, J. D. Ramey, John Rinehart, F. E. Ran- 
dall, E. W. Randall, E. Seibles, Thos. Stevenson, B. F. Smith, 
J. S. Salter, J. Sherley, L. Sheppard, L. W. Snelgrove, Ar- 
thur Swearengin, Eldred Swearengin, John Swearengin, Lark 
Swearengin, Richard Swearengin, T. Toney, H. Turner, L. B. 
Wever, R. Willing, J. W. Whitlock, W. Whitlock, H. W. 
Whitman, J. Woolsey, H. H. Prescott. Privates, 84; officers, 
15; total, 99. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 419 

CHEROKEE PONDS GUARDS. 

Robert Meriwether, Captain; A. P. Butler, First Lieutenantj 
D. L. Shaw, Second Lieutenant; Jos. Meriwether, Third Lieu- 
tenant; W ^T. S cott. First Sergeant; M. Medlock, Second Ser- 
geant; J. J. Lanier, Third Sergeant; B. W. Johnson, Fourth 
Sergeant; J. W. Walker, Fifth Sergeant; George Samuell, 
First Corporal; J. A. Crowder, Second Corporal; W. T. Gard- 
ner, Third Corporal; T. J. Howard, Fourth Corporal; H. N. 
Blcase, Fifth Corporal; C. Pardee, Sixth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

T. L. Anderson, F. M. Brown, Robert Burton, Edward 
Blease, L. W. Bartee, W. V. Bartee, H. G. Collins, M. Calli- 
hani, R. J. Crafton, J. J. Crafton, Thomas Curry, W. L. 
Curry, J. S. Day, Julius Day, Jr., J. M. Davis, George De- 
laughter, A. Dow, Gary Floyd, Walker Floyd, Hazel Floyd, 
T. J. Green, T. W. Green, W. H. High tower, G. W. Han- 
cock, D. O. Hancock, John Holly, Jasper Holly, Andrew 
Holly, Calvin Holly, M. G. Hitt, J. F. Johnson, P. B. Kisic, 
R. J. Lanham, W. O. Morgan, E. O. Morgan, W. J. Morris, 
W. H. Meriwether, Joel McClendon, Jr., J. M. Marran, J. E. 
A. Martin, E. McClendon, J. C. Mayes, Whit. Mays. Samuel 
Mays, R. T. Owen, Thos. Sharpton, W. C. A. Shaw, Robert 
Samuel, A. Smith, J. M. Thurmond, R. H. Williams. Pri- 
vates, 51; officers, 15; total, 66. 

This company became, I think, Company "G," First Regi- 
ment — Colonel Gregg; first Captain, A. P. Butler; last. Captain 
Hollowa}'. 

DENNY COMPANY. 

Volunteer company from the lower Battalion, Tenth Regi- 
ment, South Carolina Militia: 

David Denny, Captain; Thomas L. Smith, First Lieutenant; 
W. A. Rutland, Second Lieutenant; E. J. Goggans, Third 
Lieutenant; A. S. Dozier, First Sergeant; J. R. Bouknight, 
Second Sergeant; J. C. McCelvy, Third Sergeant; Marshal 
Lott, Fourth Sergeant; B. B. Duke, Fifth Sergeant; James 
Mitchell, First Corporal; James M. Daniel, Second Corporal; 
Pinkney Bouknight, Third Corporal; David Padgett; Fourth 
Corporal; M. W. Coleman, Fifth Corporal; W. G. Denny, 
Sixth Corporal. 



420 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

PRIVATES. 

G. W. Denny, David Sheppard, J. D. Herlong, S. J. Bouk- 
night, M. D. Padgett, W. W. Smith, Levy Bedenbaiigh, 
William Etheredge, M. B. Watson, J. R. Padgett, Emanuel 
Padgett, B. F. Sample, Plilary Crouch, Hiram Duncan, Ar- 
thur Davis, D. D. W. McCarty, J. C. H. Rauch, W. E. 
Sample, William Ridlehoover, J. B. Suddath, William Saddler, 
Edward Mitchell, A. W. Denny, W. A. Watson, J. T. Van- 
sant, J. H. Watson, F. M. Rogers, Paul Mitchell, John Perry, 
James J. Denny, W. M. Stewart, M. G. McGhee, Eldred 
Whittle, T. B. Crouch, William Etheredge, George Martin, 
Noah Etheredge, G. D. Henson, A. L- Wy.se, R. T. Jones, 
A. S. Bouknight, W. E- Parker, E. A. Perry, John Inabenet, 
James Goodwin, J. T. Bedenbaugh, A. Gib.son, T. A. Mer- 
chant, Tillman Sawyer, W. J. Cooner, Thomas Whittle, W. D. 
Cameron, William Eeapard, C. W^. Hues, J. R. Pou, John 
McClendon, Benjamin Harris, William Goodwin, Jacob Gib- 
son, Willis Crouch, T. E. Story, J. H. Smith, W. A. Hardy, 
N. F. Corley, Caleb Etheredge, J. M. Corley, J. B. Ridgwell, 
P. P. Spann, J. E. Crouch, W. J. Gunter, Joshua Clarke, 
John Pou, J. H. Spann, E. A. Smith, J. E. Watson, J. A. 
Clarke, \V. Mathis, B. R. Smith, William Sawyer, S. P. 
Einler, W. A. Mitchell, J. J. Jones, William Harris, E. E. 
McCarty, M. A. Whittle, Thomas Berry, R. R. Grig.sby, 
Jacob I-Iirett. Privates, SS; officers, 15: total, 103. 

Captain Denn}^ was too old for active service; in a short 
time he resigned. His company was too large and was divided 
into two. Company M Seventh Regiment, E. J. Goggans, 
Captain, and Compau}- E of the Seventh Regiment, James 
Mitchell, Captain. The rolls of these companies appear in 
this book. 

EDGEFIELD RIFLEMEN. 

Cicero Adams, Captain; H. Rufus Dean, First Eieutenant; 
W. J. Ready, Second Eieutenant; E. S. Minis, Third Eieuten- 
ant; W. H. Brunson, First Sergeant, Orderly; Jacob Young- 
bipod, Second. Sergeant; Tillman Watson, Jr., Third Sergeant; 
Joseph C. Jones, Fourth Sergeant; J. Wade Johnson, Fifth 
Sergeant; Eewis Coleman, First Corporal; W. P. James, 
Second Corporal; X. E. Griffin, Third Corporal; W. E. Burt, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 42 1 

Fourth Corporal ; A. P. Butler, Fifth Corporal; C. Iv. Miles, 
Sixth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph M. Abuey, William H. Abney, O. H. P. Burton, 
T. H. Bryan, W. D. Bryan, J. J. Bryan, T. C. Banks, John 
Bridwell, Jas. C. Brooks, Joseph Brunson, R. S. Brunson, 
J. W. L. Bartley, W. S. Covar, C. I^. Covar, C. D. Covar, 
J. L. Covar, W. A. Christie, Clarke S. Corley, James A. 
Colgan, C. A. Cheatham, W. H. Casey, J. T. Casey, H. D. 
Crooker, W. F. Durisoe, Jr., C. I,. Durisoe, Preston Delyoach, 
W: B. Eidson, J. J. Eidson, John T. Gray, C. H. Goodwin, 
R. B. Hughes, John Jennings, B. A. Jones, T. A. Jones, 
G. B. Eake, Felix Eake, F. A. Murrell, M. T. McHenry, 
J. W._McCullough, D. F. McEwen, M. A. Markert, J. P. 
Moss, Jesse McGhee, J. E. Morgan, B. E. Nicholson, James 
Paul, A. M. Perrin, Pressley M. Prater, James Ramsay, John 

A. Rambo, W. D. Ramey, Samuel Ready, J. D. Roper, P. E. 

B. Bryan, Robert Stalnaker, W. R. Spann, B. T. Swearengin, 
J. C. Swearengin, S. W. SulHvan, J. A. Sease, Thomas L. 
Steadhem, J. M. Thurmond, C. W. Winn, H. Winn, S. 
White, A. G. Woodruff, J. M. Youngblood. Privates, 67; 
officers, 15; total, S2. 

NINTH REGIMENT MILITIA. 

Company from Upper Battalion, Ninth Regiment, South 
Carolina Militia: 

B. M. Talbcrt, Captain; J. F. Burress, First Lieutenant; 
H. G. Seigler, Second Lieutenant; J. E. Talbert, Third Lieu- 
tenant; W. T. West, First Sergeant; O. T. Cnlbreath, Second 
Sergeant; W. N. Martin, Third Sergeant; J. W. Cheatham, 
Fourth Sergeant; W. H. Rush, Fifth Sergeant; C. M. Calhoun, 
First Corporal; J. W. Franks, Second Corporal; W. M. 
Reynolds, Third Corporal; John Sentell, Fourth Corporal; 
T. T. Wilhite, Fifth Corporal; J. H. Sanders, Sixth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

B. O. Adams, C. M. Burress, J. E. Blake, P. Barden, H. J. 
Bird, R. A. Cochran, W. F. Capeheart, H. H. Clay, John 
Culbreath, G. R. Coleman, W. L. Coleman, J. A. Cartledge, 
A. Deal, James Deal, James Devore, E. S. Devore, J. W. 



42 2 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Devore, J. \V. Delaughter, John Gable, E. Hamilton, G. A. 
Hamilton, William Hollingsworth, E. HoUingsworth, J. T. 
Henderson, T. S. Henderson, G. W. Johnson, W. B. 
Kemp, L. M. Lanier, O. W. Lanier, C. H. Limbecker, 
J. L. Lockridge, E, H. Lagroon, W. Littleton, T. J. 
Miller, T. W. Morgan, W. W. McKinnie, Lyles Motes, 
James Picket, W. E. Quattlebaum, A. M. Quarles, 
J. T. Rampey, J. P. Rush, J. C. Reynolds, J. H. Rutledge, 
T. J. Rountree, O. S. Sentell, D. Stalnaker, J. R. Stalnaker, 
B. F. Stalnaker, G. S. Stalnaker, G. W. Strom, P. H. Strom, 
S. B. Strom, T. W. Shadrack, G. J. Sheppard, T. M. Seigler, 
S. D. Shibley, Wiley Timmerman, F. L. Timmerman, G. H, 
Timmerman, G. W. Thurmond, John White, Jr., W. G^ 
White, R. M. Winn, William Yeldell. Privates, 65; officers, 
15; total, 80. 

NINTH REGIMENT MILITIA. 

Company from Lower Battalion, Ninth Regiment, South 
Carolina Militia: 

W. F. Prescott, Captain; J. P. Nixon, First Lieutenant; 
Benjamin Roper, Second Lieutenant; S. B. Blocker, Third 
Lieutenant; H. C. Garrett, First Sergeant; Wyat Holmes, 
Second Sergeant; Wm. Holmes, Third Sergeant; G. W. 
Morgan, Fourth Sergeant; William Holson, Fifth Sergeant; 
L. M. Broadwater, First Corporal; L. J. Miller, Second Cor- 
poral; J. H. Lanier, Third Corporal; S. G. Merriwether, Fourth 
Corporal; N. L. Brunson, Fifth Corporol; Thomas M. Crafton, 
Sixth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 
James A. Mathis, Charles Hammond, Daniel Briggs, W. A. 
Garrett, C. F. Hammond, R. G. Hammond, S. T. Brunson, 
P. M. Thurmond, Jos. Holliday, Philip Boyd, E. N. Bartly, 
W. G. Coleman, J. C. Strom, David W. Thomas, T. N. 
Pressley, W. B. Hughes, Whit. Jennings, Thomas Strom, 
A. H. Burt, J. N. Grifhn, William Wash, W. A. B. Newson, 
A. Howard, R. O. Hovia, N. Merriwether, J. Prince, J. S. 
Sharpton, P. B. Hanson, G. W. Holson, James Wood, A. 
Holson, T. Irvins, F. W. Treat, L. E. Holmes, Jasper Mc- 
Daniel, Thomas M. Colier, James A. Bussey, Sherrad Holmes, 
Wm. H. Mathis, Wm. H. Bussey, John Prince, F. Corley, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 425 

N. C. Broadwater, John H. Terry, L. F. Sharpton, J. C. 
Henderson, H. Wood, George Martin, Charles Glanton, John 
Briggs, T. Hallida}-, John C. Collins, R. D. Brunson, B. B. 
Burton, B. B, Johnson, John Cason, Thomas Mathis, Robert 
Brooks, Roland Terry, J. H. Burdit, S. vStalnaker. Privates, 
61; officers, 15; total, 76. 

This company is, I suppose, the germ or the original of 
Company "I," Seventh Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. 
In another place appears the roll of that company showing its 
condition, as reported by Captain Benjamin Roper, July 23rd. 
1862, which roll is on file in the office of the Adjutant and In- 
spector General, Columbia, S. C. 

EDGEFIELD HUSSARS. 

Attached to the Hampton Legion of South Carolina. 

M. C. Butler, Captain; J. J. Bunch, First Lieutenant; J. J. 
Crafton, Second Lieutenant; J. M. Lanham, Third Lieutenant; 
Thomas W. Glover, First Sergeant; J. M. Wise, Second Ser- 
geant; F. L. Butler, Third Sergeant; A. J, Anderson, Fourth 
Sergeant; P. M. Butler, Fifth Sergeant; J. B. Ryan, First 
Corporal; F. B. Walker, Second Corporal; W. A. Glover, 
Third Corporal; N. L. Griffin, Fourth Corporal; J. L. Nichol- 
son, Fifth Corporal; J. Wesley Barr, Chaplain; Alex. Ruther- 
ford, Farrier; M. A. Markert, Bugler. 

PRIVATES. 

S. D. Adams, W. J. Adams, Wm. Bolton, Wm. A. Batche- 
lor, J. C. Brice, Moses Bruce, A. P. Butler, E. J. Butler, Har- 
ri.son Butler, J. P. Bryan, F. M. Cheatham, J. W. Chipley, 
J. S. Cotes, John Colgan, Randal Croft, Robert C. Crafton, 
John Crawford, T. H. Clark, S. C. Deal, S. P. DeLoach, J. J. 
Eidson, Wm. Frazier, C. B. Glover, M. O. Glover, Wm. 
Golding, Wade Hampton, Jr., T. P. Hampton, E. W. Hen- 
derson, Jones, Jno. Kennerly, D. P. Lagrone, John 

Lyon, J. W. Lagrone, W. W. Lanham, W. P. McKie, Wit- 
field Martin, J. J. Mealing, W. E. Middleton, N. W. Miller, 

Ruldolphus Niernsee, B. F. Ouzts, Oglesby, W. M. 

Rhine, Jno. Riley, James Robertson, L. L. Roper, J. H. 
Ross, C. C. Singleton, Richard Singleton, T. L- Stark, J. W. 
Swearengin, T. N. Talbert, T. H. Thacker, Charles Thomas, 
T. W. Vaughn, Jas. Wells, Richard Ward, Jno. Ward, M. B. 



424 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

Wa-d, H. Winn, Geo. Wise, John B. Watts. Privates, 63; 
officers, 17; total, 80. 

This company was afterwards known as Company "I," 
Second Regiment Cavalr}^, the last Captain of which was T. H. 
Clark. A roll made by Captain Clark since the war is on file 
in the Adjutant and Inspector General's office, and appears 
also in this book. Captain Clark, the last captain, is now liv- 
ing at Batesburg. M. C. Butler, first captain. United States 
Senator, — home at Edgefield. 

COMPANY G, FIRST REGIMENT-GREGG'S. 

A. P. Butler, Captain; promoted Major 12th May, 1864; 
Lieutenant Colonel 23rd May, 1864; served through. W. H. 
HoUowa}-, First lyieutenant; promoted Captain 12th May, 
1864; served through. F. W. iVndrews, Second Liutenant; 
resigned December 1861. T. M. Wellborn, Third lyieutenant; 
promoted Second Lieutenant December, 1 861; First Lieutenant 
1 2th ]May, 1864. J. H. King, First Sergeant; elected Second 
Lieutenant, April, 1862; resigned 1863. Mark Mathews, Second 
Sergeant; promoted First Sergeant April, 1862. W. T. Scott, 
Third Sergeant; promoted Second Sergeant April, 1862; First 
Sergeant 1862. T. F. Williams, Fourth Sergeant; promoted 
Third Sergeant April, 1862; died 29th September, 1862, of 
wounds received at Second Manassas. I. C. Mays, Fifth 
Sergeant; promoted Fourth Sergeant April, 1862; Second 
Sergeant 1862; killed in battle at Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863. 
William J, Delph, First Corporal; promoted Fifth Sergeant 
April, 1862; Fourth vSergeant 1862; Sergeant Major 1S63. 
D. C. Bullock, Second Corporal; furnished substitute Decem- 
ber 14th, 1 86 1. C. H. Gardiner, Third Corporal; promoted 
First Corporal April, 1862; killed on color guard at Manassas 
August 29th, 1862. W. L. Durst, Fourth Corporal; promoted 
Second Corporal April, 1862; Third Sergeant 29th September, 
1862; Second Sergeant 3rd July, 1863; served through. 

PRIVATES. 

P. O. Ranson, promoted Third Corporal April, 1862; Fifth 
Sergeant September 29th, 1862; died of w^ounds received at 
Gettysburg, T. J. Howard, promoted Fourth Corporal April, 
1862; discharged 1862. J. C. Tompkins, promoted First Cor- 
poral 29th August, 1862; Fourth Sergeant 29th September, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 425 

1862; Third Sergeant 3rd Jul}', 1S63. J. F. Harling, promoted 
Second Corporal 29th September, 1862; Fourth Sergeant 3rd 
July, 1S63: lived through — Appomatox. J. T. White, pro- 
moted Fourth Corporal September 29th, 1S62; Fifth Sergeant 
3rd Jul}', 1863; served through. T. M. V/ilson, promoted 
Third Corporal 29th September, 1S62. J. B. Rhodes, pro- 
moted First Corporal September 29th, 1862; supposed killed at 
Chancellorsville Ma}' 3rd, 1863. H. W. HoUoway, promoted 
First Corporal 3rd July, 1863; supposed killed 1S64 at Deep 
Bottom. G. W. Street, promoted Second Corporal July 3rd, 
1863; F. P. Johnson, promoted Third Corporal July 3rd, 
1863; L. P. Andrews; Simon Attaway, killed July 3rd, 1863, 
at Gettysburg; W. W. Bagwell, transferred to Seventh South 
Carolina Volunteers 1862; I,. P. Boone; M. Brewer, surren- 
dered April, 1S65; J. W. Bryant; J. C. Bryant, discharged 
1862; T. N. Brunson, lost leg at Second Manassas August 
29th, 1862 — discharged; K. N. Brunson; J. W. Brooks, died of 
wound received at Second Manassas 1862; L. W. Brooks; M. P. 
Burnett, died of disease May i8th, 1S63; M. C. Burnett, trans- 
ferred to Seventh South Carolina Volunteers 1S62; H. Burnett, 
transferred to Seventh South Carolina Volunteers 1S62; G. W. 
Blackwell; Peyton Burton; C L. Burn, missing and supposed 

killed at Spottsylvania May, 1864; Cash, transferred to 

Company H, First South Carolina Volunteers; I. C. Corley, 
died ofdisea.se Ma)- 28th, 1862; W. V. Corley, surrendered at 
Appomattox 1865; E. W. Corley, died ofdiser.se August i6th, 
1862; J. H. Carpenter; A. Chapman, surrendered at Appo- 
mattox; J. B. Collins, died of disease 27th July, 1862; Irwin 
Clegg, died 31st May, 1864, of wounds at the Wilderness May 
5th, 1864; A. J. Clegg; J. M. Carter, died of disease 1864; 
J. M. Conally, died of disease December, 1862; W. B. Conally, 
surrendered at Appomattox; R, W. Conally, surrendered at 
Appomattox; E. R. Cunningham; Wallace J. Delph, promoted 
Sergeant Major May 1 861; Lieutenant, Company "I," 1863; 
Captain 23rd May, 1864. R. VV. Dorn, killed May 12th, 1864, 
at Spottsylvania; F. M. h. Duke; J. M. Fry, died of disease 
1864; M. Floy, died of disease December 17th, 1863; G. W. 
Hancock; J. W. Ha.stings, died of disea.se July ist, 1862; W. P. 
Hastings; John Horten, lo.st leg at Fredericksburg February 
13th. 1863; Thomas Hall, died of disease July 6th, 1862; 



426 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Jasper Holly, killed in battle at Second Manassas August 29th, 
1862; VV. H. Hollovvaj', Jr., killed in battle at Second Manas.sas 
August 2gth, 1862; R. P. HoUoway, surrendered Appomat- 
tox 1865; John C. Harris, furnished substitute December, 1861; 
L. F, Harris, transfeTed to Second South Carolina Cavalry; 
A. F. Harris; James Hardy; D. W. Jackson, surrendered April, 
1865; S. P. Jones, died of disease June 30th, 1862; William 
Kennedy; W. G. Kernagham; B. R. Kimbrell, surrendered 
April, 1865; John Lamb, killed in battle at Fredericksburg 
February 13th, 1863; Barrel Lamb, killed in battle at Fred- 
ericksburg February 13th, 1863; John Lane, died of disease 
1864; B. L. Minor; William Magill; George H. Maxwell, died 
of disease December 23rd, 1861; J. M. Mathews; F. B. Medicis, 
deserted 1861; Edmond Mills, killed in the battle of the Wil- 
derness May 5th, 1864; R. S. Norris, surrendered April, 1865; 
Allen Norris, surrendered April, 1865; J. P. Pate, killed in 
battle at Cold Harbor June 27th, 1862; James Parkman; John 
Powell, died of disease June 3rd, 1862; B. F. Price, transferred 
to Seventh South Caroliua Volunteers; J. R. Porter, killed at 
Spottsylvania May 12th, 1864; Samuel Porter, killed at Spott- 
sylvania May 12th, 1864; T. J. Riley, surrendered April, 1865; 
S. M. Ross, served as Courier for General Wilcox part of 1863 
and 1864; appointed Sergeant Signal Corps. James F. Lamb, 
surrendered Appomattox 1865; E. J. Rhodes; G. W. Richey; 
John Richardson; W. A. Sale, killed in battle at Gettysburg 
July 3rd, 1863; J. C. Shafer, killed in battle at Gettysburg 
July 3rd, 1863; Frank Schwartz, surrendered Appomattox; P. 
Spinall; P. Sharpton, lost an arm May 3rd, 1863, at Chancel- 
lorsville; J. H. Smith, killed at Cold Harbor June 27th, 1862; 
T.J.Smith, died of disease May 21st, 1S62; G. W.Smith, 
died of wounds received at Chancellorsville May 5th, 1863; 
Mark Smith; G. W. Stewart, killed at Jerico Ford May 23rd, 
1864; J. S. Stewart, killed August 25th, 1864, at Reams' 
Station; W. W. Stewart; T. J. Styron, died of disease May 
28th, 1862; G. W. Seiley, killed at Cold Harbor June 27th, 
1862; J. L. Taylor, surrendered Appomattox 1865; J. E- Ta}'- 
lor; Wiley Thompson; S. Thompkins, appointed Hospital 
Steward 1 861; killed at Fredericksburg 1863. J. L- Turner, 
lost a leg at Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863; T. R. Tate, died 
April ist, 1863, of wound received at Fredericksburg 1863; 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. ' 427 

J. R. Tiinmerman, died in Federal prison 1865; W. P. Vines; 
T. A. Walker, died May 31st, 1864, of wounds received at 
Wilderness May 5th, 1864; M. E. Walker, killed at Wilderness 
May 5tli, 1864; T. M. Walker; J. C. Walker; E. G. Walker; 
G. M. Walker, died of disease in 1865; James Wooten, died of 
disease in 1865; Thomas White, died of disease August, 1864; 
J. C. Williams, killed at Cold Plarbor June 27th, 1862; H. J. 
Williams, kill at Cold Harbor June 27th, 1862; T. H. Wil- 
liams, killed at Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863; C. H. Wate, killed 
at Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863; T. A. Wate; David Wate, sur- 
rendered April, 1865; ' William Whatley, killed, at Jericho 
Ford May 23rd, 1864; ^^- ^^- VVhatley, died September 9th of 
wound received at Manassas August 29th, 1862; Thomas 
Weeks, lost a leg at Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863. Total rank 
and file, 138. Killed in battle, 26; died of wounds, 9; died of 
disease, 19; in Union prison, i; total, 55. 

lyoss very heavy, considerably over one-third. This list 
was furnished by Colonel A. P. Butler and copied by Sergeant 
Major William J. Delph. 

COMPANY E, FIRST REGIMENT—GREGG'S. 

D. B. Goggans last Captain. 

Alexander P. McCarty, Corporal; age twenty-five; killed at 
Chancellorsville May 3rd, 1863. Pinkney Bradley, age forty; 
discharged at Appomattox. Newton F. Corley, age twenty- 
three; discharged at Appomattox. William Hyler, age twenty- 
three; abandoned .service without leave. John Perry, age 
twenty-five; surrendered at Appomattox. Benjamin Perry, 
age eighteen; surrendered at Appomattox. Peter B. Ramage, 
age twenty-one; died of disease at Fredericksburg. Virginia, 
December 1862. 

COMPANY H, THIRD REGIMENT. 

A. A. Werts, wounded at Savage Station; living. Alfred 
Werts, wounded. Jesse Werts, discharged; di.sabled; living. 

As instances of the splendid and heroic bravery of the men 
and boys composing the Finst South Carolina Regiment, 
Gregg's, and as facts in its history I insert the following. The 
writer is Theodore Roosevelt in the Cosmopolitan for Decem- 
ber 1892. 



42S HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

GAINES MILL. 

"At the battle of Gaines Mill (Cold Harbor) Gregg's First 
South Carolina Regiment formed part of the attacking force. 
The resistance was desperate and the fury of the assault un- 
surpassed. At one point it fell to the lot of this Regiment to 
bear the brunt of carrying a strong position — moving forward 
at a run, the South Carolinians were swept by a fierce and 
consuming fire. Young James Taylor, a lad of sixteen, was 
carrying the flag, and was killed after being shot down three 
times, twice rising and struggling on with the colors. The 
third time he fell the flag was seized by George Cotchett, and 
v/hen he in turn fell, by Shubrick Hayne. Haj^ne also was 
struck down almost immediately; and a fourth lad — for none 
were over twenty years old — grasped the colors and fell mor- 
tally wounded across the body of his friend. The fifth, 
Gadsden Holmes, was pierced with no less than seven balls. 
The sixth man, Dominick Spellman, more fortunate, but not 
less brave, bore the flag throughout the rest of the battle." 

COMPANY E, SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Made by J. B. Suddath and J. C. H. Ranch, Sergeants, from 
memory — November 1893. David Denny, Captain; served 
one year, resigned; too old. James Mitchell, Captain; served 
through the war. lyieutenant W. A. Rutland; killed in battle. 
Lieutenant James Pinson. Lieutenant W. J. Denny, killed in 
battle. Orderly Sergeant J. C. H. Ranch. Sergeant J. B. 
Suddath. Sergeant A. W. Denny. Sergeant M. W. Colema n. 
Sergeant Kdward Mitchell, killed in battle. Corporal John 
Pou, killed in battle. Coporal L- A. Smith, killed in battle. 
Corporal U. B. McGee, killed in battle. Corporal Emanuel 
Padgett, killed in battle. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Black; Jacob Black, killed in battle; Paul Black, 
Willis Crouch, T. B. Crouch, Hillery Crouch, J. L- Crouch, 
Robert Crouch, Milledge Crouch, Eli Crout, J. M. Corley, 
Jacob Corley; Frank Corley, killed in battle; Wm. M. Cooner, 
killed in battle; John Chapman; Robert Ctish, killed in battle; 
G. W. Denny, died in hospital; J. 0. Denny, J. M. Denny, 
John Derrick, James Douglas; William Douglas, died during 
the war; William Etheredge, Sr., William Etheredge, Jr., 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 429 

Noah Etheredge, Henrj' C. Etheredge, Joab Edwards; Joseph 
Geiger, died during the war; David Geiger, WilHam Goodwin; 
Joseph GofF, died during the war; Caleb W. Hughes; John 
Inabnet, died during the war; Wright Little, killed in battle; 
Alfred Maroney; Euke Lott, died early in the war; Paul 
Mitchell, killed in battle; W. A. Mitchell, John Mitchell, 
James Minnick, J. W. Merchant; D. D. W. McCarty, died 
during the war; John McLendon, killed in battle; Richard 
Parson, John R. Pinson, J. Robert Pou, Emri Padgett, Wil- 
liam Ridlehoover; Frank Rodgers, killed in battle; James C 
Ramage, died during the war; William Ridgell, died during 
the war; John Ridcell, Daniel Ridgell; Thomas Story, died 
during the war; G. W. Smith, Eouis E- Smith; James PI. 
Smith, killed in battle; W. W. Smith, died during the war; 
John Shealey, died during the war; Abram Sliealey, died 
during the war; Adam Shealy, died during the war; W. E. 
Sample, died during the war; James Salter, James Thompson; 
Joseph Thompson, killed in battle; J. T. Vansant, died during 
the war; Washington Venters, M. B. Watson, J. E- Watson, 
Nicholas Watson, Riden Walker, William Whittle; John Yar- 
brough, died during the war; Michel Yarbrough, died during 
the war. Officers, 15; privates, 73; total, 88; killed in battle, 
18; died during the war, 22; total, 40. 
This loss is very heavy. 

Elsewhere a copy of the original roll of Capt. David Denny's 
Company is given as it was formed in 1861. At the re-organ- 
ization at the end of the year. Captain Denny, being too old 
resigned, and two companies were formed. Company M with 
E. J. Goggans Captain, and Company E with James Mitchell 
Captain. Captain Denny died long ago. Captain Mitchell 
died in 1S93; Captain Goggans still lives, November 1S93. 

COMPANY F, SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

This roil was prepared by Lieutenant B. W. Plard, of Gran- 
iteville, October 20th, 1SS3. Many of the names are marked 
as from "Aikcu" County, a county which had no existence 
during the war, so I am compelled to include all in the roll, 
whether from Edgefield or elsewhere, as it is impossible forme 
to tell who in Aiken went from Barnwell and who from Edge- 
field. 



430 HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. 

John S. Hard, age 19, Captain,' Edgefield; promoted to Major 
September, 1862, and killed at Chickamauga. James E. 
Rearden, age 23, Captain, Edgefield; killed at Chickamauga; 
wounded at Sharpsburg; promoted from Third to Second and 
First Lieutenant and Captain. Warren D. Brooks, age 19. 
Captain, Edgefield; killed at the Battle of the Wilderness; 
promoted from Second Sergeant to Third, Second, and First 
Lieutenant and Captain. Benjamin A. McKibbin, age 21, 
Captain, Marion; wounded at Cold Harbor; promoted from the 
ranks to First Sergeant and Third Lieutenant and Captain. 
Thomas F. Jennings, age 31, First Lieutenant, Edgefield; re- 
signed at reorganization— living. John B. Gregg, age 22, 
Second Lieutenant, Edgefield; died of disease at Charlottes- 
ville. James C. Seutell, age 30, Second Lieutenant, Edgefield; 
elected at the reorganization; resigned — ill health — living. 
George W. Baker, age 24, Second Lieutenant, Edgefield; 
wounded at Sharpsburg in two places; elected Third Lieuten- 
ant at reorganization and promoted; resigned — ill health — 
living. Lawrence W. Wise, age 28. Third Lieutenant, Edge- 
field; killed at home; promoted from Third Sergeant. B. W. 
Hard, age 28. Third Lieutenant, Edgefield; promoted from the 
ranks — living. N. D. Matheny, age 42, P'irst Sergeant, Ecige- 
field; discharged at Rocky Run — living. T. Gvdledge, age 30, 
First Sergeant, Edgefield; discharged at Richmond — living. 
Jefferson Davis, age 25, First Sergeant, Edgefield; died of 
disease at Richmond. Hampton H. Howard, age 21, First 
Sergeant, Edgefield; wounded at Sharpsburg; promoted from 
Corporal — living. Robert J. Cobb, age 21, First Sergeant, 
Edgefield; wounded at Gettysburg; promoted from the ranks. 
H. Manuring Stevens, age 19, Corporal, Edgefield; living. 
William E. Rearden, age 21, Corporal, Edgefield; killed at 
Sharpsburg. George E. Atkinson, age 24, Corporal, Edge- 
field; living. Marion Odom, age 27, Corporal, Edgefield; died 
ofdisea.se at Richmond. Robert N. Rearden, age 22, Corporal, 
Edgefield; wounded at Maryland Heights — lost a finger — 
living. 

PRIVATES. 

John L. Atkinson, age 26, Edgefield, died of disease at 
home; J. Riley Aulmond, age 19, Edgefield, living; Thomas 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 43I 

Aulmond, age 22, Edgefield, living; Mike B. Arthur, age 18, 
Edgefield, living; Elisha Baggott, age 24, Edgefield, living; 
William Becks, age 25, Barnwell, liv-ing; John Brown, age 24, 
Spartanburg, living; Jeff Brown, age 22, Spartanburg, living; 
Milledge Brown, age 23, Spartanburg, living; I,. P. Bagwell, 
age 30, Spartanburg, living; James A. Brewer, agei8, Aiken, 
living; Isaac Brooks, age 18, Aiken, killed in battle at the 
Wilderness; Lawrence Bland, age 19, Aiken, living; Robert 
Brooks, age 32, Aiken, living; Wilson Carroll, age 21, Aiken, 
wounded at Sharpsburg, living; James A. Cartin, age 30, 
Aiken, died of disease at home; Robert Cushman, age 22, 
Barnwell, died of disease at home; Wilson Cash, age 22, 
Abbeville, wounded at Sharpsburg, living; George Cochran, 
age 18, Aiken, living; John Corley, age 19, Aiken, wounded 
at Wilderness, living; R. J. Cobb, Fifth Sergeant, already- 
named; Hardy Clark, age 19, Aiken, discharged or surren- 
dered at Richmond; Robert Donald, age 21, Aiken, wounded 
at Winchester, died of disease at home; Edward Dinkins, age 
22, Aiken, living; Benjamin Davis, age 32, Aiken, living; John 
Duncan, age 22, Aiken, living; Reuben Duncan, age 21, 
Aiken, died of disease at home; Jeff Davis, age 25, Aiken, died 
of disease at Richmond; Benjamin Duncan, age 18, Aiken, 
killed at Fredericksburg; William Ellis, age 30, Aiken, died of 
disease at home, wounded at Fredericksburg; P. A. Friday, 
age 21, Aiken, wounded at Gettysburg, lost a finger, living; 
Tillman Faulkner, age 23, Aiken, discharged at Flint Hill, 
living; William P. Faulkner, age 28, Aiken, discharged at 
Flint Hill, living; Allen Franklin, age 30, Aiken, discharged 
at Richmond, living; Peter Fagin, age 29, Aiken, died of 
disease at Richmond; William German, age 23, Aiken, died of 
disease at Richmond, wounded at Fredericksburg; Henry Gul- 
ledge, age 21, Aiken, living; William Gulledge, age 18, Aiken, 
living; John Gissue, age 21, Aiken, living; Caloway K. Hen- 
derson, age 20, Aiken, living; John C. Hall, age 25, Spartan- 
burg, wounded at Sharpsburg, living; William P. Hamraett, 
age, 24, Spartanburg, living; WiUiam Hatcher, age 18, Aiken, 
living; Seaborn Hamiston, age 31, Aiken, living; Jesse Jack- 
son, age 18, Aiken, discharged at Richmond, living; James 
Jackson, age 21, Aiken, wounded at Maryland Heights, lost 
an arm, living; David L- Johnson, age 21, Aiken, living; 



432 PIISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Ezekiel Johnson, age 23, Aiken, died of disease at Fredericks- 
burg; Adolphus I/. Johnson, age 18, Aiken, wounded at 
Savage Station, discharged at Richmond^,-liKing; William J. 
Kirksey, age 22, Aiken; James A. Key, age 19, Aiken, 
wounded at North Anna River ^-living; James Kadle, age 20, 
Aiken, died of wounds at Gettysburg; Washington Leach, age 
28, Aiken, hving; William Leopard, age 29, Aiken, discharged 
at Richmond ,^living; Levy Littleton, age 19, Aiken; William 
Lawrence, age 22, Aiken, living; Elijah Leopard, age 31, 
Aiken, died of disease at home; John Maddox, age 21, Aiken; 
Green Maddox, age 20, Aiken, living; John Medlock, age 24, 
Aiken, died of disease at Richmond; Mark Maddox, age 19, 
Aiken, wounded at Gettysburg, lost a leg, living; Benjamin 
Medlock, age 19, Aiken, discharged at Richmond, living; 
Bogan Maddox, age 18, Aiken; Isaac W. McKee, age 28, An- 
derson, wounded at Sharpsburg, living; William Myers, age 
29; Julius W. McGee, age 19, Anderson, killed at Maryland 
Heights; Walter McKiuse)^ age 28, Aiken, died of wounds at 
Knoxville; Martin Mathis, age 25, Spartanburg, living; Mor- 
gan Mathis, age 27, Spartanburg, living; Martin McKinnie, 
age 31, Spartanburg, living; Judson McGee, age 22, Spartan- 
burg, living; Joseph New, age 20, Aiken, living; Edward 
New, age 27, Aiken, discharged at Richmond, living; John 
New, age 18, Aiken, living; Julius Overstreet, age 21, Aiken; 
John D. Price, age 30, Aiken, wounded at Maryland Heights, 
died since the war: George W. Piatt, age 21, Aiken, living; 
Arthur Parker, age 18, Aiken, killed at Malvern Hill in bat- 
tle; Lawrence Prescott, age 24, Aiken; George Perdue, age 29, 
killed at home since the war; John Parker, age 18, Aiken, 
died of disease at Richmond; Thomas Price, age 18, Aiken, 
discharged at Richmond, living; Smith F. Radford, age 19, 
Aiken, living; James A. Ramsej-, age 24, Aiken, died of 
wounds at North Anna River; Matt Ramsey, age 20, Aiken 
discharged at Richmond, living; Ed. Rannald, age 21, Aiken, 
wounded at Cold Harbor; Benjamin Sharpton, age 19, Aiken, 
died of wounds at Cold Harbor; William Smith, age 19, Aiken; 
E. Seigler, age 18, Aiken, discharged at Richmond; Edwin 
Stringfield, age 22, Aiken, discharged at Richmond; Aquilla 
S. Seigler, age 22, Aiken, living; William B. Sorger, age 21, 
Aiken, living; Ben. F. Sorger, age 21, Aiken, living; John 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 433 

Seitzes, age 35, Aiken, died at Frederick Citj' of wounds re- 
ceived at Sliarpsburg; Harry Turner, age 20, Aiken, wounded 
at Fisherville, died since the war; Thomas P. Tollison, age 29, 
Aiken, died since the war; James A. Ta3'lor, age 22, Aiken, 
wounded at Chickamauga, living; Benjamin F. Taylor, age 20, 
Aiken, killed in battle at Savage Station; Hampton Wade, 
died of disease in hospital; W. D. West, died of disease at 
home; Wm. A. West, living; William Walker, living; Adolphus 
Walker, living. Total rank and file, 123. The name of Jef- 
ferson Davis appears twice, once as First Sergeant, once as 
private. Killed in battle, 9; died of wounds, 5; died of dis- 
ease, 18; total, 32. ^ 

The name of James Kadle appears on this roll. Is any one 
now living in Edgefield named Kadle? 

Edgefield Chronicle, March nth, 1896: 

SERGEANT DICK CLARY'S WAR LIST. 

Dear Chronicle: The famous old Seventh Regiment, of 
which your gallant old uncle. Colonel Thomas G. Bacon, was 
the first leader, must alvva3\s be of deep interest to you, as well 
as to all Edgefield and Saluda. Therefore I send you the fol- 
lowing list. Let us keep these brave names from being forgot- 
ten. I send you a list of soldiers who died or were killed dur- 
ing the late war, from 1861 to 1S65, in Company G., Seventh 
South Carolina Volunteers: 

Died. — George Hudson, Toles Attaway, Fletcher Graddick, 
James May, George Clark, George Neal, William Neal, Ivieu- 
tenant George Strother, Car Williams, Joe Griffin, Robert 
Bryan, Carter Burnett, Hix Holloway, Jack Whatley, John 
Crouch, William Bagwell, William Burton, I,it Wooten, John 
Shafer, Dick Stevens, Frank Dean. Total, 21. 

Killed in battle. — Henry Steadham, Jim Steadman, Tink 
Williams, WilHam Dees, Captain William Clark, Caleb Walton, 
Jim Burnett, Sim Adams, Joe Wright, J. C. Nox, W. Nox, 
C. N. Nox, John Turnipseed, John Bolton, Thomas Aiton, 
Art Bryant, John Hollingsworth, Tink Jay, Captain John 
Kemp, Jim Quattlebaum, Wesley Wright, Wiley Dodgin, 
William Coleman, Thomas Burt. Total, 24. 

This copy of roll of Company G, Seventh Regiment, is 



434 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

taken from Edgefield Chronicle of September 13th, 1S93. By 
whom made and when does not appear: 

COMPANY G, SEVENTH SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY. 

W. E. Clark, Captain; J. W. Kemp, First Lieutenant; J. W. 
Williams, Second lyieutenant; J. W. Eidson, Third Lieutenant; 
R. C. Strother, First Sergeant; B. L. Youngblood, Second 
Sergeant; Artemus Bryant, Third Sergeant; M. Ouzts, Fourth 
Sergeant; Simeon Adams, Fifth Sergeant; R. C. Clary, First 
Corporal; J. R. Wright, Second Corporal; T. N. Durst, Third 
Corporal; D. R. Coleman, Fourth Corporal; J, C Rambo, 
Fifth Corporal; Thos. Aiton, Sixth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 
J. S. Aiton, W. G. Aiton, B. F. Boone, Wm. Bagwell, E. 
Berry, J. F. Boulware, H. Burnett, James Burnett, Carter 
Burnett, W. M. Bolton, D. R. Crouch, John Crouch, William 
Coleman, V. A. Clark, W. A. Crawford, H. C. Dodgen, 
Wiley Dodgen, Herlong Dorn, Jesse Duffee, William Eeese, 
Frank Dean, Wm. Eidson, Lark Eidson, G. Ferguson, G. W. 
Grant, M. A. Griffith, A. B. Griffith, J. B. Gasperson, Abney 
Hargrove, Joe Hamilton, W. M. Head, J. N. Hollingsworth, 
Hix Holloway, Dr. D. P. Hollowa}^ John Jay, Fink Jay, Wm, 
King, W. A. Manus, A. P. Nox, J. B. Nox, T. J. Nox, S. T. 
Nox, Jas. Quattlebaum, Wm. Rushton, Sr. , Wm. Rushton, 
Jr., G. R. Reeves, Ralph Smith, W. S. Steiffle, J. R. Sentell, 
F. A. Townsend, Anion Stallworth, Sergeant Major; Henry 
vSteadham, Jas. Steadman, Ira Turner, John Turnipseed, J. 
Willingham, Pink West, Wm. Wright, Wesley Wright, Joe 
Wright, Pinkney Williams, Press Williams, Caleb Walton, 
Jack Whatley. 

COMPANY G, SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

April I St, 1S61, from Upper Battalion, Tenth South Caro- 
lina Militia. 

J. H. Brooks, Captain; W. E. Clark, First Lieutenant; 
H. C. King, Second Lieutenant; G. J. Strother, Third Lieu- 
tenat; John W. Kemp, First Sergeant; B. L. Youngblood, 
Second Sergeant; H. C. Culbreath, Third Sergeant; J. W. 
Griffin, Fourth Sergeant; Carr S. Williams, Fifth Sergeant; 
M. W. Clar}^ First Corporal; J. M. Proctor, Second Corporal; 
J. W. Eidson, Third Corporal; B. G. Smith, Fourth Cjrporal; 



HISTORY OF EDCEFIELD. 435 

R. H. Holloway, Fifth Corporal; R. S. Burnett, Sixth Cor- 
poral. 

PRIVATES. 

Simeon Adams. Towles Attaway, C. Attaway, W. J. Aiton, 
T. L. Aiton, J. F. Boleware, T. N. Brunson, A. M. Bryan, 
h. Brooks, L. J. Brooks, M. P. Burkhalter, J. F. Burnett, 
Georg:e Clark, V. A. Clark, R. C. Clary, John Chaver, O. R. 
Crouch, J. S. Coleman, M. W. Coleman, A. C. Dees, S. P. 
DeLoach, William Dogan, H. C. Dogan, T. N. Durst, John F. 
Frie, J. W. Gentry, Jonathan Gregory, A. B. Griffith, J. P. 
Hamilton, J. W. Hardy, Isaiah Haltiwanger, D. P. Holloway, 
J. A. Hollingworth, G. W. Hudson, W. D. King, I,eviKoon, 
Barret Lamb, R. S. Leek, W. Leek, James A. May, B. L. 
Murrell, J. \V. Neill, W. M. Neill, Wm. L. Owdom, G. W. 
Perdue, W C. Palmer, J. C. Rambo, J. M. Riley, J. B. 
Rhodes, William Reese, James Robinson, James Roton, Grant 
Smith, J. W. Smith, S. S. Smith, A. C. Stalworth, Henry 
Stedham, J. C. Stedham, H. S. Stefle, B. F. Stevens, J. C. 
Strother, John Thompkins, F. A. Townsend, G. W. Turner, 
S. Turner, W. S. Wallington, E. P. Walker, James Webb, 
William Wheeler, J. P. Watley, H. J. Williams, J. C. Wil- 
liams, W. P. Williams, T. H. W^illiams, Pinkney Williams, 
Whit Williams, J. R. Wright, L- Wooten, Densly Youngblood, 
William Yotmgblood, J. S. Aiton. Commissioned offices, 4; 
non-commissioned officers, 11; privates, 82; total, 97. 



436 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXXVI. 

On the roll of Company "C," Seventh Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers, I find the names of William Benson, age 
1 8, Edgefield, served to close of the war; James Harrison, age 
i8, Edgefield. 

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN ROPER'S COMPANY I, SEVENTH 

REGIMENT. 

Muster roll of Captain Benjamin Roper's Company I of the 
Seventh Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers, D. Wyatt, 
Aiken, Colonel, received at office of Adjutant and Inspector 
General, April 14th, 1863, showing the condition of the Com- 
pany, July 23rd, 1862, I have no roll made up since the war. 

Benjamin Roper, Captain, entered service 15th April at 
Charleston, S. C, received by the Authorities of South Caro- 
lina for twelve months, absent, sick; B. F. Sharpton, First 
lyieutenant, entered service 15th April, at Charleston, South 
Carolina, received by the authorities of South Carolina, was 
promoted from Second Ivieutenant, July 3rd; W. Parkman, 
vSecond lyieuteuant, entered service nth September, at Flint 
Hill, Virginia; received by Colonel Bacon, was promoted from 
Third Lieutenant, July 3rd; W. E. Middleton, Third Lieuten- 
ant, entered service 15th April, at Charleston, South Carolina, 
received by the authorities of South Carolina, was elected 
Third Lieutenant July iSth; J. A. Mathis, First Sergeant, sam.e 
record as W. E. Middleton, absent, sick, furlough; G. W. 
Holmes, Second Sergeant, same record as W, E. Middleton, 
present; N. L. Broadwater, Third Sergeant, same record as 
W. E. Middleton, present; E. J. Anderson, Fourth Sergeant, 
same record as W. E. Middleton, present; W. W. Bussey, 
Fifth Sergeant, same record as W. E. Middleton, absent, sick; 
S. Holmes, First Corporal, same record as W. E. Middleton, 
present; Thomas Harling, Second Corporal, received 4th June 
at Butler, S. C, by Major Evans, present; J. S. McKie, Third 
Corporal, received 15th April at Charleston, S. C, by author- 
ities of South Carolina, present; J. Briggs, Fourth Corporal, 
same record, present. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 43J 

PKIVATES. 

P. H. Broadwater, same record, but absent on sick furlough: 
S. Broadwater, same record, present; J. W. Bartley, received 
June 4th, same authorities, absent sick furlough; M. Calliham, 
received 6th August, Flint Hill, Va., by Colonel Bacon, pres- 
ent; G. W. Clay, received 4th June, Butler, S. C, by Major 
Evans, absent without leave; T. G. Green, received 15th 
April at Charleston, vS. C, by authorities of South Carolina, 
present; W. H. Garrett, received 15th April at Charleston, 
S. C, by authorities of vSouth Carolina, extra daily duty in 
Q. M. Department; W. W. Jennings, received 15th April at 
Charleston, S. C, by authorities South Carolina, present: 
E. O. Morgan, received 6tli August at Flint Hill, Va., by 
Colonel Bacon, sick at hospital; J. !\IcDaniel, received 15th 
April at Charleston, S. C. , by authorities of South Carolina, 
present; H. Mathis, received 15th April at Charleston, S. C, 
by authorities of South Carolina, present; W. A. B. Newson, 
received 15th April at Charleston, S. C, by authorities of 
South Carolina, present; A. J. Prince, received nth September 
at Flint Hill, Va., by Colonel Bacon, present; P. N. Presley, 
received 15th April at Charleston, S. C, by authorities of 
South Carolina, present; J. Roper, received 15th April at Char- 
leston, S. C, by authorities of South Carolina, sick in hospital; 
J. SharjDton, received same, extra daily duty as teamster; 
G. W. Vance, received 15th April at Charleston, S. C, by au- 
thorities of South Carolina, present; W. W. Wash, received 
15th April at Charleston, S. C, by authorities ot South Caro- 
lina, present; J. Whitcombe, received 15th April at Charleston. 
S. C, by authorities of South Carolina, present. 

The following were entered on the roll as "discharged," and 
then the entries crossed: 

W. F. Prescott, Captain; J. P. Nixon, First Lieutenant; 
R. H. Middleton, Second Sergeant; Thos. Evans, private;. 
Thos. McKie, private; Charles Wiseman, private; G. W. Mor- 
gan, private. 

Transferred, also crossed. — T. W. Grafton, private; Thomas- 
Hammond, private; W. E. Holmes, First Sergeant; W. J. 
Holmes, First Sergeant. 

Died, also crossed.— R. Brooks, private; A. J. Briggs, pri- 
vate; J. T. Buse, private. 



438 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Total rank and file on the roll, 32; one absent without leave- 
several sick. 

COMPANY K, SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Muster roll of Company "K," John F. Bowers, Captain, 
showing the condition of the company July 23rd, 1862. At 
tTiis date, April, 1892, I have no other roll — failed to find a:iy 
in the ofhce in Columbia: 

John F. Bowers, Captain, present; J. L. Talbert, First Lieu- 
tenant, absent on furlough; J. M. Berry, Second Li2Utenant, 
absent; wounded at Manchester — hospital. J. A. Cheatham, 
Third lyieutenant, present; O. T. Culbreath, First Sergeant; 
received into service April 15th, 1861, for OLie year by Major 
Evans; absent on furlough. A. N. Martin, Second Sergeant, 
absent; wounded at Manchester — hospital. W. M. Reynolds, 
Third Sergeant, present; L. W. I,anier, Fourth Sergeant, ab- 
sent; wounded; home on furlough. C. M. Burress, Fifth Ser- 
geant, present; J. W. Reynolds, First Corporal, present; L. D. 
Shipley, Second Corporal, present; W. G. Whit^, Third Cor- 
poral, present; T. R. Williams, Fourth Corporal, present. 

PRIVATES. 

B. O. Adams, present; J. K. Blake, present; T. A. Cartledge, 
present; T. M. Crafton, present; VV. L. Coleman, present; 
G. R. Coleman, absent, wounded at Manchester — hospital; 
John Culbreath, present; Anthony Deal, present; C. L. Devore, 
present; J. A. Franks, present; C. T. Hammond, present; 
C. FI. Harrison, absent, sick at hospital— unknown; J. T. 
Henderson, present; J. E. Henderson, present; W. L. Holmes, 
absent on sick furlough; A. J. Holmes, present; H. Hovv-ell, 
present; T. B. Eanier, absent, wounded, at home on furlough, 
left arm amputated at shoulder; O. W. Lanier, present; C. H. 
Limbecker, present; J. L. Lockridge, present; J. H. Mayson, 
absent, sick at Manchester Hospital; FI. M. Quarles, absent on 
furlough, sick; J. C. Reynolds, present; E. W. Reynolds, absent 
on furlough, sick; T. J. Rouutree, present; F. P. Rush, present; 
G. S. Stalnaker, absent, wounded, at Manchester Hospital, 
right arm amputated above elbow; J. R. Stalnaker, present; 
J. W. Stalnaker, present; G. H. Timmerman, present; J. R. 
Williams, present; W. B. Wood, absent on sick furlough; 
W. H. Yeldell, present. Total rank and file, 47. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 439 

COMPANY M, SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Muster roll of Company "M," Seventh Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers, showing the condition of the company on 
July 23rd, 1862, Jerry Goggans, Captain. All were enlisted 
by Captain Goggans for the period of two years: 

Jerry Goggans, Captain, Februarry nth, Mclvcan's Farm, 
absent on furlough; J. R. Bouknight, First Lieutenant, Feb- 
ruary nth, Mclvcan's Farm, wounded at Richmond; J. C. Mc- 
Celvey, Second Lieutenant, February nth. McLean's Farm, 
present; A. P. Bouknight, Third Lieutenant, February nth, 
McLean's Farm, present; T. H. Huiett, First Sergeant, Feb- 
ruary nth, McLean's Farm, absent with leave; J. J. Mc- 
Daniel, Second Sergeant, March 26th, South Carolina, present; 
W. A. Whittle, Third Sergeant, February nth, McLean's 
Farm, present; J. H. Watson, Fourth Sergeant, February nth, 
McLean's Farm, present; W. Ruston, Fifth Sergeant, Feb- 
ruary nth, McLean's Farm, present; Jacob Huiett, First Cor- 
poral, F'ebruary nth, McLean's Farm, present; A. L. Wyse, 
Second Corporal, nth February, McLean's Farm, wounded at 
Capital; B. F. Sample, Third Corporal, February nth, Mc- 
Lean's Farm, present; G. Jennings, Fourth Corporal, Feb- 
ruary nth, McLean's Farm, present. 

PRIVATES. 

H. Barnes, March 17th, South Carolina, present; J. Beden- 
baugh, March 17th, South Carolina, present; L. Bedenbaugh, 
May ist, Yorktown, sick at Camp Winder; T. Bedenbaugh, 
May ist, Yorktown, sick at Brigade Infirmary; A. S. Bouk- 
night, February nth, McLean's Farm, present; S. J. Bouk- 
night, May 17th, South Carolina, present; N. Bouknight, 
March 17th, vSouth Carolina, sick at Manchester; J. Buzhardt, 
March 17th, vSouth Carolina, present; P. Charles, South Car- 
olina, March 17th, present; H. Dufhe, March 17th, South 
Carolina, present; J. Dufhe, February nth, McLean's Farm, 
present; V. Duffie, February nth, McLean's Farm, present; 
A. Duncan, February nth, McLean's Farm, present; V. 
Duncan, February nth, McLean's Farm, present; W. Faban, 
March 17th, South Carolina, present; R. Gunter, March 17th, 
South Carolina, sick at Manchester; J. Gunter, February nth. 
McLean's Farm, detailed Ordnance Guard; P. GofF, March 



440 HISTORY OF EDGRFIRlD. 

17th, South Carolina, present; J. Gibson, March 17th, South 
Carohna, sick at Petersburg; W. Gibson, March 17th, South 
Carolina, sick at Petersburg; W. Harris, February nth, Mc- 
Lean's F'arm, present; S. Harris, Februar}' nth, McLean's 
Farm, present; D. Henson, February nth, McLean's Farm, 
present; J. Henson, February nth, McLean's Farm, present; 
I. Inabinet, February nth, McLean's Farm, sick at Man- 
chester; G. Lippard, March 17th, South Carolina, pres- 
ent; J. Lippard, March 17th, South Carolina, sick at 
Farmville; V. Livingston, March 17th, South Carolina, sick 
at Petersburg; E. Matthews, March 17th, South Carolina, 
present; J. Miller, March 17th, South Carolina, sick at Camp 
"Winder; T. Merchant, May ist, Yorktown, present; M. 
Mitchell, June 17th, South Carolina, present; G. Martin, 
February nth, McLean's, present; A. Padgett, February 
nth, McLean's, present; D. Parmer, March 17th, South Car- 
olina, sick at Manchester; J. Rotten. February nth, McLean's, 
wounded, gone home on furlough; D. Rushton, February 
nth, McLean's, sick at Petersburg; H. Rushton, February 
nth, McLean's, present; J. Rushton, April 15th, Yorktown, 
present; J. Saddler, March 17th, South Carolina, sick at 
Petersburg; W. Saddler, February nth, McLean's, present; 
B. Smith, Februar}' nth, McLean's, present; W. Spann, Maj^ 
ist, Yorktown, present; P. Spann, February nth, McLean's, 
present; M. Shealy, June ist. South Carolina, present; W. 
Watson, May ist, Yorktown, present; J. Wise, February nth, 
McLean's, present; W. Wise, March 17th, South Carolina, 
present; M. Whittle, March 17th, South Carolina, sick at 
Farmville, Virginia; B. Wright, May ist, Yorktown, sick at 
Farmville, Virginia. Total rank and file, 63. 

AN OLD CONFEDERATE "FURLOUGH." 

Edgefield Chronicle: 

Many of our readers have never seen a "furlough" and will 
no doubt be interested in a perusal of the following. It is a 
bona fide document, as we have it direct from the hands of 
the private soldier named in it. The names of all the officers 
from Longstreet commanding the department to Lieutenant 
Bouknight commanding the company are quite familiar names 
to Edgefield people. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 44I 

FURLOUGH. 

To all zvhom it may concern: 

The bearer hereof, B. C. W. Matthews, private of Captain 
Goggan's company, Infantry, Seventh South Carolina Regi- 
ment, aged twenty-nine years, five feet six inches high, light 
complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair, and by profession a 
farmer, born in the District of Edgefield, State of South Caro- 
hna, and enlisted at Edgefield Court House, July ist, 1862, to 
serve for the period of two years, and re-enlisted February, 
1864, for the war, is hereby permitted to go to Edgefield Dis- 
trict, South Carolina, he having received a furlough from the 

(lay of to the day of at which period he 

will rejoin his company or regiment at Bristol, Tenn., or 

wherever it may be, or be considered a deserter. 

. Subsistence has been furnished to said B. C. W. Matthews 

fj-om day of to the day of and pay to the 

first day of November, both inclusive. 

Given under mv hand at Bristol this 6th day of April, 1864. 

A. P. BOUKNIGHT, 
Lieut. Com'd'g Co. "M", Seventh South Carolina Reg't. 



The applicant desires to visit home to look after his family 
interests, he having a wife and three children who need his 
attention. 

He is also deeply involved in some estates of which he is 
administrator — they being unsettled and in a state demandiug 
some immediate personal attention. 

A better soldier never shouldered a gun. He has not lost a 
day, or missed a roll call since he has been in the service. 
His case certainly merits all attention and reward, and I 
earnestly recommend that this application be granted. 

A. P. BOUKNIGHT, 

Lieut. Com'd'g Co. "M", Seventh South Carolina Reg't. 



Camp Seventh South Carolina Reg't, [ 
April 6th, 1864. \ 

Private B. C. W. Matthews, Company "M", Seventh South 
Carolina Regiment. 

Special application for furlough to visit home to attend to 



442 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

important business. The application is specially recommended 
on account of his high soldierly qualities, by his comoauy 
officers. 

Approved. 

A. P. BOUKNIGHT, 

lyieut. Com'd'g Co. "M", Seventh South Carolina Reg't. 



Headquarters Seventh South Carolina Reg't, ) 

April 6th, 1S64. \ 

In consideration of the high character of the soldier, I 
respectfully forward. 
Approved. 

BENJAMIN ROPER, 
Capt'n. Com'd'g. Reg't. 



Headquarters Kershaw's Brigade, ) 
April 6th, 1864. | 

Respectfully forwarded. 
Approved. 

JOHN D. KENNEDY, 
Col. Com'd'g Brigade, 



Division Headquarters, 
April 7th, 1864. 

Respectfully forwarded. 

Approved. 

W. S. WOFFORD, 
Brigrdier Com'd'g Div. 



Headquarters Dep't. East Tenn., ] 
April 8th, 1864. ) 

Respectfully returned, approved, in consideration of the 
excellent character of this soldier. 
By command of 

LIEUT. GEN. EONGSTREET. 

COMPANY A, NINETEENTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "A," Nineteenth Regiment, South Caro- 
lina Volunteers: 

Tillman Watson, Captain, age — ; promoted Major Feb- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 443 

ruary, 1862. Perry E. Watson, Captain, age 50; promoted 
from First Lieutenant; was not re-elected at reorganization in 

1862. Elijah W. Home, Captain, age 32; vvonnded at Atlanta; 
ejected Second Lieutenant February, 1862; elected Captain at 
reorganization in 1862; retired by his own request 1865. 
Kzekiel Randall, age 16; promoted from the ranks to Second 
Lieutenant in 1862, to First Lieutenant 1864, to Captain in 
1865. Levi Lybrand, First Lieutenant, age 48; promoted 
from Second to First Lieutenant February, 1862; resigned 

1863. Seaborn E. Watson, Second Lieutenant, age 25; was 
not re-elected at reorganization 1862. John T. Norris, Second 
Lieutenant, age 21; wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and died 
of his w'ounds at Chattanooga; promoted from ranks 1862. 
Cornelius J. W. Kreeps; Second Lieutenant, age 22; killed at 
Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 1864; promoted from ranks to Ser- 
geant to Second Lieutenant in 1864. Abe. W. Rutland, 
Second Lieutenant, age 18; promoted from ranks to Sergeant 
and to Second Lieutenant 1864. Willis L- Creed, Second 
Lieutenant, age 24; same record as Rutland. Wyatt H. Haney, 
age 30, First Sergeant; detached. J. H. A. Williams, age 19, 
Sergeant. Morgan D. Bodie, age 19, Sergeant; promoted from 
ranks; died of disease at Knoxville. J. R. Padgett, age 28, 
Sergeant; promoted from ranks; wounded at Murfreesboro. 
Hiram Cato, age 20, Sergeant; killed in battle, New Hope 
Church. James S. A. Satcher, age 18, Sergeant. Alfred A. 
Pardue, age 35, Sergeant; died of disease in hospital. Henry 
Dunton, age 50, Sergeant; discharged Tupelo, Miss. J. C. 
Mitchell, age 18, Sergeant. Lewis V. Claxton, age 21, Ser- 
geant; w^ounded at Chickamauga; captured at Atlanta. H. 
Elsey Lybrand, age 22, Sergeant; wounded at Chickamauga; 
died of the wound in hospital. Solomon Douglass, age 35, 
Corporal; woundc^d at Nashville, Tenn. Julius Howard, age 
20, Corporal; died of disease in hospital 1862. J. Ellis Creed, 
age 30, Corporal; promoted from ranks; died of disease in hos- 
pital 1862. William Creed, age 32, Corporal; promoted from 
ranks. Jeter W. Crim, age 23, Corporal; promoted from 
ranks; captured at Missionary Ridge. Isaac B. Randall, age 
30, Corporal; wounded at Atlanta, Ga. George W. Morris, 
age 20, Corporal. Burton Williams, age 24, Corporal; pro- 
moted from ranks; died in hospital 1863. 



444 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD, 

PRIVATES. 
Jefferson J. Asbill, age 30, died of disease at Danville, 
Kentucky; lyOy P. Asbill, age 32, died of disease 9t Wildcat 
Mountain, Ky., 1S62; Isaac Bush, age 40, discharged at Shel- 
leyville, Tenn.; Washington W. Bush, age 28, wounded at 
Missionary Ridge, Tenn., died of wounds at Atlanta; Wm. 
Burges Bush, age 24, died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn.; 
John H. Barton, age 26; J. Burgess Barton, age 22, surren- 
dered at Atlanta 1S65; James E. Boothe, age 21, surrendered 
at South Mountain, Ala.; Benjamin Boothe, age 35, surren- 
dered, at Atlanta. Ga. ; William Braswell, age 23, died of 
disease at Charleston, S. C. ; Peter Brannon, age 40, discharged 
lyovejoy Station, Ga. ; Wiley Bodie, age 40, died of disease at 
Augusta, Ga.; John M. Cato, age 22, wounded at Chicka- 
mauga and Marietta; Whitfield Cato, age 17; J. Preston Cam- 
meron, age 23, captured at Atlanta, not heard from since; 
James P. Cullum, age 19; William Cullum, age 45, captured 
at Atlanta, Ga., died in Union prison, Columbus, Ohio; John 
W. Clark, age 21, wounded at Chickamauga, died in hospital 
of wounds; Isaac Carroll, age 24, died of disease at Charleston, 
S. C. ; Jesse Couch, age 28; Watson E. Couch, age 24, dis- 
charged at Corinth, Miss.; Michael W. Clark, age 16, dis- 
charged Shelleyville, Tenn. ; Rufus M. Derrick, age 20, cap- 
tured at Missionary Ridge; John Eidson, age 28, died of 
disease in hospital, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Robert M. Elsmore, 
age 45, discharged; Allen Elsmore, age 22, killed in battle at 
Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 1S64; William Foley, age 30, dis- 
charged; Berry Franklin, age 40; Marshall Franklin, age 29, 
died of disease in hospital; Henry Grice, age 21, died at Mur- 
freesboro of wounds received there; Benjamin Grice, age 23: 
died of disease at Charleston, S. C; Isaac W. Graham, age 30; 
Noah Goff, age 26; James W. Howard, age 17, died of disease 
in hospital; William Howard, age 40, died of disease in hos- 
pital; Michael Howard, age 38; John Hair, age 20; Hiley Hair, 
age 16; Jackson Holmes, age 40; Abram F. Hurtt, age 40, 
killed in battle at Atlanta; Jesse J. Herrin, age 28, died of 
disease at Enterprise, Miss.; Stanmore Johnson, age 28, killed 
in battle at Atlanta; Eugene S. Kreeps, age 20: William Kirk- 
land, age 18, wounded at Murfreesboro; John C. Kennedy, age 
35, discharged; James Kennerly, age 16, discharged; Elbert E. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



445 



lyOtt, age 28, wounded by railroad; William E. Lott, age i6, 
wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn.; John Lott, age 40, died at 
Chattahoochee of wounds received at Chattahoochee River; Jesse 
Lott, age 32, died of disease at Enterprise, Miss.; George Ly- 
brand, age 17; Martin Eybrand, age 17, killed in battle at 
Chickamauga; Wesley A. Lybrand, age 40, wounded at At- 
lanta, Ga.; George McGeehe, age 30, killed in battle at At- 
lanta; William A. Mitchell, age 16, killed in battle at Mur- 
freesboro; R. S. Mitchell, age 17; Andrew Mayer, age 18; 
George W. Neal, age 16; Thomas Odonald, age 45, wounded at 
Murfreesboro; Wain M. Pasey, age 30; Eldredge Pasey, age 
45, discharged; Wilbert Padget, age 25, died of disease at hos- 
pital; A. R. Padget, age 26, died of disease at hospital, Va.; 
Manley Padget, age 33; Josiah Padget, age 16, discharged; 
Driden Padget, age 22, wounded at Murfreesboro, discharged, 
lost an arm; Larkin C. Prator, age 28, killed in battle at 
Atlanta; Jefferson Randall, age 26, killed in battle at Atlanta; 
Seaborn Randall, age 23, killed in battle at Chickamauga; 
Eafayette Randall, age 17, killed in battle at Atlanta; Geo. W. 
Randall, age 30, died of disease at Charleston, S. C. ; Mike 
Rutland, age 16, killed in battle at Kinston, N. C ; Wiley 
Rhoden, age 35, killed in battle at Atlanta; Robert Satcher, 
age 20, died of disease at hospital; Henry Satcher, age 17, died 
of disease at home; Ansel Sawyer, age 28, wounded at Chicka- 
mauga; John Simons; James Turner; Thomas H. Williams, 
age 45, died of disease at Enterprise, Miss.; PI. Pickens Wil- 
liams, age 18, died of disease at Enterprise, Miss.; Isaac B. 
Williams, age 16, died of disease at home; Joseph Williams, 
age 30, killed in battle at Chickamauga; Clifton Williams, age 
19; A. G. Williams, discharged in 1861; Jefferson Williamson, 
age iS; Wesley Whittman, age 17; Elijah D. Watson, age 34, 
discharged; Lewis Yonce, age 20. Commissioned and non- 
commissioned ofhcers, 29; privates, 88; total, 117. 

This roll of Company "A" was prepared by Captains E. W. 
Home and L. Lybrand, Ridge Spring, August 7th, 1SS2 — all 
from Edgefield District. 

I observe that some names suffered severely. Three Ran- 
dalls were killed in battle and one died of disease. Three Wil- 
liamses died of disease and one was killed in battle. 

Casualties. — Killed in battle, 15; mortally wounded, 6; died 



44^ HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. 

of disease, 23; total deaths, 44. Wounds not mortal, 13; total 
casualties, 57. 

The reader will perceive that the total number of deaths in 
this company was considerably over one-third, which is very 
great — a little in excess of the average, which is about one- 
third. 

COMPANY B, NINETEENTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company B, Nineteenth Re^.riment, South Caro- 
lina Volunteers^ when first organized: 

Thomas P. Shaw, Captain, promoted lieutenant Colonel 
and Colonel, wounded and made prisoner at Franklin, Tenn.; 
Robert G. Lamar, First Lieutenant, promoted Quarter Master 
Regiment; Matthew H. Hunter, Second Lieutenant; John C. A. 
vShaw, Third Lieutenant. 

Roll of Company as organized at Corinth, May, 1862. 

T. W. Getzen, Captain, age 23, wounded at Atlanta, July 
28th, 1864, lo:-t a leg loth of Marcli, 1865, at Bentonville, 
N. C; John C. A. Shaw, First Lieutenant, killed in battle at 
Atlanta; Levris Hester, Second Lieutenant, killed in battle at 
Nashville, Tenn.; John FI. McDevitt, Third Lieutenant; 
Franklin Milledge, First Sergeant; James Parker, Second 
Sergeant, killed in battle at Nashville, Tenn.; Aquilla Mayer, 
Third Sergeant, wounded at Nashville, Tenn.; David Mayer, 
Sergeant; James Morrison, Corporal; Jesse Mayer, Corporal; 
George L. Hall, Corporal, age 17, shot accidentally; Christo- 
pher Glover, Corporal, age iS; George W. Howard, Corporal, 
age 15, captured at Glasgow, Tenn., exchanged and dis- 
charged as minor at Shelbyville, Tenn. 

Privates. 
Marshal Arthur, killed at Missionary Ridge; Chapell Atta- 
way, John Brooks; Wm. H. Boulware, age 15; James Broyden, 
age 15, wounded at Chickamauga; John Bryan, age 18; John 
Bassell, R. Burkhalter; Francis Clark, captured at Branch- 
ville, S. C. , and unaccounted fo'-; James Cowan, died of dis- 
ease; Elbert Doby, wounded at Kingston, N. C. ; Henry Doby, 
Charles Dinkins, Henry Dunn; James Dunn, died of disease 
at Bardstown, Kentucky; Richard Dunn, died of disease at 
Atlanta; Robert Day, died of disease at Atlanta; James Davis, 
wounded at Atlanta; Thomas Franklin, killed in battle at 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 447 

Chickamauga; Robert Foster, discharged at Saltillo, Miss., 
consumptive; Fletcher Goff, Colleton Glover; John Green, 
killed in battle at Chickamauga; William Gullege, Henry 
Gullege; John Horn, died of disease in Mississippi; Samuel 
Horn, killed in battle at Kingston, N. C. ; Peter G. Horn, 
wounded at Altanta, arm amputated; Milledge Horn, wounded 
at Bentonville, N. C. ; William Horn, killed in battle at 
Chickamauga; Elijah Horn, died of disease at Rome, Ga. ; 
Absalom Horn, wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn.; J. A. Horn, 
wounded at Atlanta; John Harden, George Harden. Frank B. 
Henderson, John Hester, Robert Hatcher; John Hatcher, 
killed in battle at Chickamauga; Mark Hilborn, wounded at 
Chickamauga; James Henderson; William Jones, wounded; 
Thomas Kernaghan, wounded in battle at Murfreesboro; 
Joseph Kenned}^ died of disease; Joel McClendon; Drury 
Mealing, died of disease at Enterprise, Miss.; Joseph Napper; 
William Napper, died of disease; William Noble, died of dis- 
ease; Thomas Peay, discharged at Saltillo, Miss.; Joseph 
Powell; Thomas Page, wounded at Atlanta; John W. Roper, 
killed in battle at Chickamauga; Joseph Ryan, Elbert Ryan, 
Edward Ripley, Ephriam Rhodes, Henry Rhodes, Benjamin 
Smith; George Samuel, wounded at Atlanta; Eeonidas Sego; 
John Slaton, wounded at Atlanta; William Sharpton, died of 
disease at Lauderdale Springs, Miss.; William Treadaway, 
Edward Toney, James M. Turner, James H. Webb; Hiram 
Webb, wounded at Farmington, Tenn., accidental discharge 
of his gun; Williana Whitehead, wounded at Atlanta, Ga. ; 
George Wise, wounded at Shelbyville, Tenn., arm amputated; 
Robert I. Walker, died of disease in Mississippi. Commis- 
sioned and non-commissioned officers after reorganization, May 
1862, 13; privates, 71; total rank and file, 84. 

This roll was prepared by Captain Thomas W. Getzen, of 
Eake City, Fla. I have two copies before me, both prepared 
by Captain Getzen, and they do not correspond with each 
other absolutely in all particulars, nor does the copy from the 
office in Columbia entirely correspond with either, though 
very nearly. 

There were killed in battle, 10; mortally wounded, o; died 
of diseasf^, 12; total deaths, 22; wounds received not mortal, 
20; total casualties, 42; deaths only one over one-fourth. 

*■' ■ * ■ 



448 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

As matter of history, I copy the following memoranda, which 
I find upon the roll of Company "B," Nineteenth South Caro- 
lina Volunteers: 

Thomas W. Getzen "entered company at organization as a 
private; elected Third Lieutenant vice R. G. Lamar appointed 
Quarter-Master of regiment; elected Captain of Company 'B' at 
reorganization at Corinth, Miss., May, 1862; commanded regi- 
ment at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., after the wounding 
of Colonel and Major; acted as Major until the 22nd July at At- 
lanta, w^hen Major White, commanding, was wounded; com- 
manded regiment on 2Sth July on the left at Atlanta, was 
wounded and furloughed 60 days; returned to regiment and 
commanded it at Nashville, Tenn., Kingston, and Bentons- 
ville, N. C; lost a leg at the latter place; paroled at Highpoint, 
N. C." No signature. 

I think Captain Thomas P. vShaw has rather hard measure 
dealt him. According to one copy of the roll w^iich lies before 
me he was promoted from Coporal to Captain; was wounded at 
Franklin, Tenn., and died from his wound at that place. 
Another copy says he was wounded at Franklin, but says 
nothing of his promotion from Corporal, nor of his death; 
while still another copy says he died of wounds at Franklin^ 
making no mention of promotion. On the copy, however, 
which does not mention his death at Franklin, there is written 
in pencil on the line with his name, "Promoted Colonel", no 
date. This, no doubt, w^as read by the clerk in the Adjutant 
General's office, "promoted from Corporal." I do not know 
when he was promoted Colonel. I only know that when I 
joined the Regiment, Company "D", in March or February 
1864, while they were still in winter quarters at Dalton, Ga., 
Shaw was Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 
Regiment. He w^as in command as Colonel until after I was 
wounded and carried to the rear. I saw him under fire more 
than once, but especially at New Hope church, and he was as 
cool and collected as though he were receiving welcome guests 
at his own home. He was in command of the Regiment at 
Franklin, Tenn., was wounded there, shot through the body, 
the ball striking centrally in the upper part of the chest, but 
he did not die at Franklin; he was taken prisoner, but how 
long he remained in the hands of the enemy I do not know. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



449 



He lived until some time after the war I know, for I saw him 
once since, and I hope he is living yet. He died in 1883. 

His brother, Lieutenant Shaw, was killed in battle at At- 
lanta in 1864. 

COMPANY C, NINETEENTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "C", Nineteenth Regiment, South Caro- 
lina Volunteer.5, prepared by Lieutenant James R. Faulkner, 
Kirksey's, September nth, 18S4. I copy the roll in full, 
though all the men were not from Edgefield. These not 
from Edgefield their county is mentioned: 

John Ouattlebaum, Captain, resigned at reorganization in 
1862; H. Rufus Dean, wounded at Franklin, promoted from 
ranks at reorganization in July 1862, promoted in 1864 and 
served as Inspector General on General Manigault's Staff, 
was with army at surrender in 1865; W. Marion Dean, First 
lyieutenant, died of wounds at Chickamauga, September 27th, 
1863; John B.Harris, First Lieutenant, died of disease at 
hospital, April 1S63, promoted from ranks at reorganization in 
1862; Joseph T. Buzhardt, First Lieutenant, killed in battle at 
Chickamauga, September 20Lh, 1863, promoted from Corporal 
in 1862 at reorganization; William Ouattlebaum, Second Lieu- 
tenant, resigned at re organization in 1S62; James R. Faulk- 
ner, Second Lieutenant, promoted from ranks at reorganization 
1862, living; W. D. Rountree, Third Lieutenant, resigiied at 
re-organization in 1S62; E. W. Eidson, Third Lieutenant, 
wounded at Chickamauga, with army at surrender in 1S65, 
promoted from ranks to Corporal, July 1862, and to Third 
Lieutenant March, 1865; Wm. H. Burkhalter, First Sergeant, 
wounded at Chickamauga, disabled for life; Harman D. 
Quattlebaum, Second Sergeant, died of disease at home in 
1862, on sick furlough; Newton C. Harling, Second Sergeant, 
killed in battle at Chickamauga; Hiram L- Adams, Second 
Sergeant, died of wounds at Nashville, May 1S65, was 
wounded December i6th, 1864, promoted from the ranks; J. 
Bruntley Ouzts, Third Sergeant, killed in battle at Murfrees- 
boro, December 31st, 1862; W. Frank May, Third Sergeant, 
died of wounds at Chickamauga, September 30th, 1863, 
wounded September 20th, 1S63, promoted from ranks July 
1862; Edward H. Lagrone, Fourth Sergeant, with army at 



450 HISTORY OF EDGEFIBLD. 

surrender ill 1865, promoted from ranks to Corporal in 1862 
and to Sergeant in 1865; James M. Ramb3, Fourth Sergeant, 
same record as lyagrone; Robert W. Connolly, Fifth Sergeant, 
wounded in railroad collision in 1862 and disabled for life; 
John W. Devore, First Corporal, captured May 1864; John 
Ouzts, Second Corporal, transferred at re-organization; Alfred 
Hart, Third Corporal, died of disease at Shelbyville, Tenn., 
April 1863; Wiley T. Adams, Fourth Corporal, died of disease 
at Charleston, S. C, February 7th, 1862, promoted from the 
ranks; Charles Haney, from lyaureus. 

PRIVATES. 

Robert Alton, died of disease in hospital in 1862; Pickens 
M. Adams, transferred in 1862; Richard W. Adams, died of 
wounds at Atlanta, August 1864; Robert Anderson, Laurens, 
killed at Atlanta, July 22nd, 1864; Robert Baysworth, with 
army at surrender in 1865, detached as teamster; William 
Brooks, wounded at Murfreesboro in 1862, discharged under 
conscript act, January 20th, 1863; J. Pinckuey Burnet, trans- 
ferred to Second Artiller)^ April 1862; Isaac Cross, died of 
disease at Charleston, S. C, March 22nd, 1862; John H. 
Devore, died of disease at Charleston, S. C, February 13th, 
1862; Newton P. Devore, discharged under conscript act, 
January 20th, 1862; Herlong Dorn, transferred in 1862; John 
H. Ellenberg, discharged under conscript act, January 20th, 
1862; Martin Ellenberg, transferred 1862; Jack F. Faulkner, 
transferred 1862; W. Talbert Faulkner, wounded at Chick- 
amauga, September 1863; John Franklin, died of disease at 
Enterprise, Miss., June 20th, 1862; John Goleman, captured 
October 1862, Union prison war; W. H. Gra}', killed in battle 
at Chickamauga, September 20th, 1S63; Jesse M. Hart, trans- 
ferred April, 1862. William M. Hamilton, died in Union 
prison at Rock Island, February 1S65; Eafayette P. Harling, 
with army at surrender in 1865; Tillman Harling, with army 
at surrender in 1865; John M. Harling, discharged January 
20th, 1863, under conscript act; Bud Horn, died of disease at 
Enterprise, Miss., June 1862; Madison Horn, wounded at 
Missionary Ridge in leg November 25th, 1863, disabled re- 
mainder of the war; L. Simps Horn, killed in battle at Chicka- 
mauga September 20th, 1S63; Douglas W. Holl3way, trans- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 45 1 

ferred April, 1862; William P. lyipford, discharged June, 1862; 
A. J. Langley, discharged June, 1862; Frank L,ovelace, trans- 
ferred April, 1862; Mark Matthews, .died of disease at Enter- 
prise, Miss., July 1 8th, 1S62; Simeon Matthews, died of 
disease at Charleston, S. C, March loth, 1S62; Samuel Mc- 
Manus, captured at Atlanta, Ga., August 31st, 1864; William 
T. McManus, wounded in railroad collision April, 1862, dis- 
charged; Thomas McManus, died of disease in Union Prison, 
Rock Island, 111., December, 1863; Abner Mays, wounded at 
Nashville, Tenn., December i6th, 1864; John F. Marbut, 
wounded at Chickamauga in jaw and thigh, disabled for life; 
John Motes, discharged January 20th, 1863, conscript act; 
Wile)^ Miller, died of disea.se at Charleston, S. C, February 
4th, 1863; John H. Miller, disabled in railroad collision April, 
1862, discharged; Daniel McDowell, died of disease at Coving- 
ton, Ga., June, 1864; James M. McCrelus, died of disease at 
Charle.ston, S. C, February 9th, 1862; James Mills, captured 
February, 1865; W. A. Owdom, transferred April, 1862; Peter 
D. Ouzts, captured at Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 1864; John 
Parkman, with army at surrender 1865, teamster, war; Simeon 
Parkman, killed in battle at Murfreesboro December 31st, 
1862; Thomas Parkman, with army at surrender 1865; William 
D. Padgett, transferred to Company '-K," Nineteenth South 
Carolina Volunteers, February, 1S62; James M. Polatty, died 
in Union Prison at Rock Island January, 1865; William Pat- 
terson, lyaurens, killed in battle at Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 
1864; John D. Ouattlebaum, killed in battle at Murfreesboro 
December 3i.st, 1862; James M. Roberson, died of dfsease in 
hospital, Mississippi, 1863; Higdon Roberson, died of disease 
in hospital Enterprise, Miss., July 1862; H. A. Roberson, died 
of disease at Enterprise, Miss. , July, 1862; John Roberson, trans- 
ferred April, 1862; John Rambo, captured at Egypt Station, 
Miss., Jul}^ 1864; James Rober.son, captured at Pulaski, Tenn., 
December, I864; John M. Schenk, died in Union Prison, Rock 
Island, December, 1863; WiHiam Still, wounded at Chicka- 
mauga; with army at surrender 1865; William A. Still, trans- 
ferred to Hampton Legion 1863; John B. Timmerman, trans- 
ferred to Company "K," Nineteenth South Carohna Volun- 
teers, January, 1862; N. Douglas Timmerman, discharged 
March, 1862; William S. Terry, died of wounds at Chicka- 



452 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

mauga October ist, 1S63; W. Talbert Timniennan, died of 
disease at Enterprise, Miss., June, 1S63; Robert A. Watkins, 
with arm}' at surrender in 1865; Milton Walker, killed in rail- 
road collision Enterprise, Miss., Aprfl, 1862; James M. Wise- 
man, died in Union Prison, Rock Island, 111. ; James H. Wrenn, 
wounded at Chickamauga September 2otli, 1863, in elbow and 
groin, at Nashville December i6th, 1864, in thigh. Luke G. 
Williams, wounded at Chickamauga, disabled for life. Total 
privates, 70; officers commissioned and non-conmiissioned, 23; 
total rank and file, 93. Killed in battle, 10; died of disease, 
17; died of wounds, 6; died in Union Prison, 5; killed b3' rail- 
road, I ; total deaths, 39. Wounds in battle not mortal, 13; 
wounded in railroad collision, 2; total wounds not mortal, 15. 

The reader will perceive that the los.ses by death in this com- 
pany were very great, unusually so. Thirty-nine deaths out 
of ninety-three men is largely over one-third, v^diich I have 
found to be the average. 

The compau}^ suffered greatly from sickness. The number 
of accidents is also somewhat unusual. There must have been 
several awkward squads in the company. There appears also 
to have been a fatality attending certain names. There were 
five Robersons in the company; three died of disease in Missis- 
sippi, and one was captured at Pulaski, Tenn.; the other was 
transferred in April, 1862, before the deaths of these, or he, 
too, might have died. There were three McManuses; one 
died in Union Prison, December, 1863; another was captured at 
Atlanta in August, 1S64, and the other was vv'ounded in a rail- 
road collision in April, 1862, and discharged. There were two 
Matthewses; both died of disease in 1862, one at Charleston, 
S. C. , March loth, the other at Enterprise, Miss., July iSth. 
I observe a similar fatality attending certain name in Company 
"B." There were eight Horns in that company, every one of 
whom suffered; two were killed in battle, four were wounded, 
and two died of disease. 

Nor is this all; there were three Horns in Company '"C," 
and ever}^ one of them also suffered. One died of disease in 
June, 1862. One was wounded and disabled in November, 
1863. One v.-as killed in battle in September, 1863. Of eleven 
men named Horn in these two companies, three w.ere killed in 
battle, five were wounded, and three died of disease. 



HISTORY OF KDGTtFIELD. 



453 



Nor is this all yet; Captain Elijah W. Home, of Company 
"A," was wounded at Atlanta, making twelve of the name, 
every one of whom were .s.ufferers. I observe, however, the 
"e" as the final letter in Captain Home's name, which the 
others have not. 

COMPANY D, NINETEENTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "D," Nineteenth Regir.ient, South Caro- 
lina A'olunteers: 

This roll was prepared by Captain J. W. Denny, (who was 
the last Captain commanding,) in 18S2. I do not cop\' it ver- 
batim as I find it in the Adjutant General's office, but take 
the liberty of making corrections where I know there are 
errors. 

Ira Cromle}', age 58, Captain, discharged at Corinth, Miss., 
over age. William Spencer Peterson, Captain, killed in battle 
at Atlanta, Ga., July 28th, 1864, elected Captain May, 1862. 
John W. Denny, age 30, Captain, promoted from Sergeant to 
First lyieutenant Ma)-, 1862, Captain July 2Sth, 1864. John 
A. Crov.'der, age 29, First Lieutenant, died of wounds January, 

1863, wounded at Murfreesboro, promoted Major Maj^ 1862. 
Elzey B. Forrest, age 37, Second lieutenant, discharged at 
Corinth, Miss., over age. Isaac Edwards, age 38, Second 
Lieutenant, discharged at Corinth, Miss., over age. Basil 
Peterson, age 29, Secon,' Lieutenant, promoted from Sergeant 
August, 1864. James H. Lagrone, age 20, promoted from 
ranks to Sergeant in 1S64, to Second Lieutenant in 1S65. 
Henry E. Vansant, age 22, First Lieutenant, promoted from 
ranks to Second Lieutenant May, 1862, to First Lieutenant in 

1864. Theophilus Wright, age 34, Sergeant. Samuel T. 
Edwards, age 27, Sergeant, wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 
28th, 1864. J. D. Smith Livingston, age 23, Sergeant, 
wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 2Sth, 1S64. Thomas E. 
Chapman, age 32, Sergeant, died at home August, 1S64, of 
wound received at Atlanta July 28th, 1S64, promoted Ser- 
geant May, 1S62. William G. Matthews, age 27, promoted 
Sergeant September, 1863. John C. Wheeler, age 25, en.sign, 
killed in battle at Atlanta, Ga., July 2Sth, 1864, promoted 
from ranks 1862. Rowland Eidson, age 26, Corporal, killed 
in battle at Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 1864. Levi M. Crouch, 



454 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

age 25, Corporal, died of disease in Kentucky 1862. James 
M. Abney, age 33, Corporal, wounded at Atlanta July 28th, 
1864. John D. Eidson, age 15, Corporal, discharged at Shel- 
byville, Tenn , January, 1863. William K. Reese, age 31, Cor- 
poral, promoted from ranks 1864. Amos W. Satcher, age 20, 
Corporal, promoted from ranks INIa)^, 1S62. 

PRIVATES. 

John P. Abne}', age 25, killed Columbia, vS. C, January, 
1865; James C. Abne}', age 20; Ezra Abney, age 23; D. Sumter 
Adams, age 30, died of disease at Charleston, S. C. ; Wesley 
A. Black, age 19, killed in battle Nashville, Tenn., December, 
1864, wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 26th, 1864; Henry S. 
Black, age 17; W^illiam H. Banks, age 16, di-jcharged at Shel- 
by ville, Tenn., January, 1863; John D. Bruce, age 19, died of 
disease at Enterprise, Miss., May, 1862; John A. Chapman, 
age 41, Newberry, wounded near New Hope Church, Ga., 
May 30th, 1864; Charles Carson, age 16, discharged at Shelby- 
ville, Tenn., January, 1863; Zedekiah Crouch, age 16, dis- 
charged at Shelby ville, Tenn., January, 1863; Larkin Crouch, 
age 33; Jacob Crouch, age 30, killed in battle at Atlanta July 
22nd, 1864; James B. Crouch, age iS; James R. Crouch, age 
19; Sion Corley, age 16, discharged at Shelbyville, Tenn., 
January, 1S63; William Corley, age 31; Arthur Davis, age 24. 
killed in battle at Bentonville, N. C, 1865; John Davis, age 
22; Pinckney D. Denny, age 16, died of disease at Enterprise, 
Miss., May, 1862; Pickens Dean, age 37; Julius Easou, age 
22, killed in battle at New Hope Church, Ga., May, 1864; 
John D. Eidson; William Gentry, age 28, killed in battle at 
Franklin, Tenn., December, 1S64; Lewis C. Goff, age 23; 
William C. Goff, age 2:; Jonathan N. Gregory, age 20; Daniel 
Havird, age 22, died of disease at Charleston, S. C, January, 
1862; Franklin J. Havird, age 20, died of disease at Charles- 
ton, S. C, January, 1862; Israel P. Hartzoge, age 27, killed 

in battle Chickamauga, Tenn., September 20th, 1863; 

Holden, age 18, Chester, killed in battle at Franklin, Tenn.; 
Jesse Jay, age 30; Irvin G. Jones, age 32, killed in battle at 
Nashville, Tenn., December, 1864; Henry P. Jones, age 34; 
Brown Jennings, age 32, wounded at Chickamauga, Tenn., 
September 20th, 1863; Philip Jennings, age 35; • Lang- 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 455 

ston, age 20, Sumter, lost; George Little, age 25, killed in 
battle at Chickamauga, Tenn., September 20th, 1863; Wm, 
McCarty, age 28; Isaac McCarty, age 26, discharged Charles- 
ton. S. C, December, 1861; John Mannel, age 30, Chester, 
killed in battle at Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 1864; Simeon 
Morse, age 26, wounded — thumb — near New Hope, Ga., May, 
1864; George W. Matthews, age 25; William Matthews, age 
18; Sulton J. Mills, age 40; Jake Nelson, age 16, Union; Moses 
New, age 24, wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn., January, 1863; 
Edward G. New, age 29; Jackson J. Odom, age 40; Lawson 
Padgett, age 16; Samuel Padgett, age 31, died of disease at 
Atlanta, Ga.; Armstead Parish, age 28, died of disease in Mis- 
.sissippi; Wesley Parish, age 23; Cornelius E. Rowe, age 31; 
John Rushton, age 20, captured at Missionary Ridge Novem- 
ber, 1863; \Vm. M. Raborn, age 33, died of wounds January, 
1863, wounded December 31st, 1862, at Murfreesboro, Tenn.; 
Tosiah Dodgen, age 27, died of disease at Chattanooga 1863; 
Lemuel Salter, age 37: John C. Salter, age 31, killed in battle 
at Franklin, Tenn.; William Salter, age 29, killed in battle at 
Franklin, Tenn.; L- Gideon Salter, age 24; Geo. A. Schum- 
pert, age 18, killed in battle at Chickamauga September 20th, 
1863; James Speer, age 32; Jasper Story, age 33; A. M. Smith, 
age 40, Fairfield; James Vines, age 25; William A. Watson, 
age 23, killed in battle at Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 31st, 
1862; Milledge Watson, age 20, discharged at Charleston 
January, 1862; Patrick Wages, age 20, died of disease at Char- 
leston January, 1862; Eldred J. Wills, age 32; H. Lafayette 
W^inn, age 16, discharged at Shelbyville, Tenn., January, 
1863; John W. Whittle, age 31, died of disea.se at Chatta- 
nooga 1863; Henry A. Williams, age 18; Burr J. Yarbrough, 
age 16, died of disease on retreat from Corinth, Mi.ss. Com- 
missioned ofEcers, 9; non-commissioned ofiicers, 12; privates, 
73; total, 94. Killed in battle, 16; died of wounds received in 
battle, 3; died of disease, 12; total deaths, 31. Discharged, 9; 
captured, i; lost, i. 

The number mortally wounded is small, but the whole loss 
is about the average. Deducting the number discharged the 
loss of the remainder is a little over one-third. 

In the roll on file in the Adjutant General's ofSce John A. 
Chapman is entered as having been wounded at Atlanta in 



456 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

August, 1864; but in point of fact, as Judge O'Neall used to 
express it, he was wounded about two o'clock at night, on the 
night of Sunday, May 29th, 1864. Being after midnight 
would make it May 30th. Captain Robert N. Chatham, com- 
manding Company "G," who was killed by the same ball, is 
entered on the roll of his company as having been killed by ac- 
cident near New Hope, in June, 1864. This entry is only a 
few days wrong. Whether he was killed by accident, or by 
the discharge of an enemy's gun, can never be known with 
certainty. Occasional firing was going on all that night, and, 
in fact, nearly all the time, day and night, for we were nearly 
always in the presence of the enemy. We were lying, at the 
time Captain Chatham was fatally wounded, in line of battle. 
I wr.s in the rear rank lying upon my left side with my right 
leg a little drawn up, so that the foot rested upon the left just 
above the ankle. Captain Chatham, a little in the rear of the 
rear rank, was lying upon his right side within a few feet of 
me. I was about half asleep when suddenly a gun fired, 
which seemed to be very near. The ball passed through my 
right leg about an inch above the ankle, tearing out the smal- 
ler bone without touching the larger, and struck Captain 
Chatham in the stomach and lodged in his body. W^e were 
both carried together to a little house not far awa}'. On the 
afternoon of Mondaj^, May 30th, I was lifted into a wagon and 
transported to Marietta over the roughest road, it seemed to 
me then, that ever wagon travelled over. Captain Chatham 
was alive when I left him, but he died that afternoon, as I 
was told afterwards. He was an amiable and good man, a 
brave and good officer, and loved by his men. I saw Colonel 
Shaw at Newberry in 1867, and, talking about the events of 
that night, he said he had come to the conclusion, and the 
general conclusion was, that the gun was fired by the enemy. 
I thought at the time that, being so near, it must have been 
the accidental discharge of one of our own guns, but the ball 
passed diagonally across our line, so that the man who fired 
the gun must have been in our front, though near. 

On the last day of May I was lodged in hospital at Atlanta, 
where I remained all through that rainy mouth of June, 1864. 
Early in Jul}^, as Sherman began to draw near, the hospital 
W'as moved to Forsyth, Ga. There I remained until August 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 457 

loth, when I was furloughed for sixty days. I arrived at 
home safe!}- August 13th, 1864, — found all well, and never saw 
the army any more, except some of General Cheatham's at 
Newberry and some of Stewart's, a few miles below Chap- 
pells, in Edgefield. My fighting days were over. Very often 
during those four j-ears I thought it a little strange and singu- 
lar that men could not find something better to do than to 
make it a regular daily businens to tr}' to kill one another. 
However, I suppose it is all right. Fighting great battles and 
gaining great victories is glor}-; shooting and killing birds is 
sport. 



458 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XXXVII. 

COMPANY "F," NINETEENTH REGIP^IENT. 

Muster roll of Company "F," Nineteenth Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers, from the iSth day of December, 1861. 
Copy of T. D. Villard, Ridge Spring, April 25th, 1886. This 
company was enlisted for 12 months: 

Wade Holstein was first Captain; resigned February 15th, 
1862. W. H. Norris, Captain, December, 1862; promoted to 
Captain by resignation of Captain Holstein February i5tli, 
1862. M., N. Holstein, First Lieutenant; promoted to First 
lyieutenant by promotion of Norris to Captain. Hiram Hol- 
stein, Second I.ieutenant, promoted to Second I,ieutenant by 
promotion of M. N. Holstein to First Lieutenant. J. W. Tur- 
ner, promoted Second Lieutenant; elected February 15th, 1S62. 
W. K. Smith, First Sergeant. E. M. Corder, promoted Second 
Sergeant February 29th, vice J. W. Holstein, discharged. 
M. B. Asbill, Sergeant; left camp February 20th; unable to 
return on account of sickness. Irving M. Norris, Sergeant; 
left camp February 20th; unable to return on account of sick- 
ness. Lorenzo Feaster, Corporal. J. W. Hartley, Corporal; 
absent for 10 days. M. C. Corder, Corporal; absent for 10 
days. Wm. Flartley, Corporal; appointed Fourth Corporal vice 
Jacob Busby, absent. 

PRIVATES. 

Wesley Autrey, Henry Anderson, Abijah Anderson; S. An- 
derson, left camp February 14th for seven days, sick, unable 
to return; Barney Anderson, left camp February nth for 
ten days, sick, unable to return; H. Asbill; A. B. Asbill, 
left camp February 26th for 30 days; Thomas Busby, lost a 
leg at Franklin, Tenn. ; Jacob Busby, transferred to cavalry 
and killed in Virginia; John Britt, Sam. Bloodsworth, Geo. 
Cockrill; P. B. DeMedicis, Camp Hampton, left camp 3rd 
February for 10 days, after that absent without leave; Wm. 
Daniel, discharged January loth for disability; G. W. Fallaw, 
Abraham Gossett, James Goodwyn; Mayne Hale, sick in Sol- 
diers' Relief Hospital; H. Hall; Irvin Hall, Camp Wappo; 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 459 

Willis Hartley, E. F. Hartley, B. Hite; S. Hite, left i5tli 
February for 10 days, too sick to return in time; H. Hallman, 
A. Kneece, L,. D. Landruin; J. B. Holstein, Sergeant, dis- 
charged February igtli; S. F. Lowman, left ist February for 
15 days, too sick to return in time; A. M. Lott, J. Pylant, E. 
Padgett; D. A. Prater, appointed Fifth Sergeant vice E. M. 
Corder, promoted February 24th; P. N. Ridgell; Ira Reynolds, 
left nth February for 10 days, too sick to return in time; 
I. M. Reynolds, David Stone; John Stone, Januar}' 20tli seven 
days furlough, absent without leave; J. P. Sawyer; S. W. 
Smith, February 19th furlough fo'' 30 days; J. Sanguinnett, 
February 27th furlough for 5 days; T. D. Villard, Camp 
Wappo; J. Wells; Jas. Warren, left ist February for 15 days, 
too sick to return in time; William Warren, deserted on 19th 
February from Camp Wappo, recaptured 3rd March, placed 
under arrest; J. D. Waddell, B. T. Walker, T. Whittle; M. M. 
Whittle, left February ist for 10 days, too sick to return in 
time; E. D. Watson, Camp Wappo, transferred from Compau}' 
"A" February 6th; furloughed seven days; S. Senterfit; Jacob 
Mabar, discharged February 26th for disability; J. DufHe, died 
February 21st in Soldiers' Relief Hospital — pneumonia. Com- 
missioned officers, 5; non-commissioned officers, S; total, 13; 
privates, 33; total rank and file, 46. 

The reader will perceive that this is an army muster roll, 
showing the condition of the company on the first day of 
March, 1862, with a few casualties of a later date. One was 
transferred to cavalry and killed in battle. One lost a leg at 
Franklin. One died in hospital. Two discharged for dis- 
ability. One deserted, but I hope he behaved better after- 
wards. All, I believe, both officers and men, were from 
Edgefield. 

COMPANY K, NINETEENTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Campany "K," Nineteenth Regiment, South Caro- 
lina Volunteers, prepared by Captain J. B. Courtney, Trenton, 
July 2nd, 18S2: 

A. Jones, age 55, Captain; promoted from Captain to Major. 
William Gregg, age 28, Captain; promoted; resigned. W. H. 
Timmerman, age 32, Captain; promoted from First Eieuten- 
ant; resigned. J. B. Courtney, age 34, Captain; wounded on 



460 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

railroad Georgia 1862; Nashville, Tenn., December 15th, 

1864, promoted from Second Lieutenant. C. W. Randall, age 
32, Second Lieutenant; wounded on M. & O. R. R. April 
24th, 1862. A. L. Holley, age 32, Second Lieutenant; 
wounded at Murfreesboro December 31st, 1863; promoted from 
Sergeant. John B, Timraerman, age 33, Sergeant; killed on 
M. & O. R. R. April 24th, 1862. Mose Harris, age 39, Ser- 
geant. E- Jones, age 38, Sergeant; died of disease. G. W. 
Doolej^ age 55, Sergeant. Wilson Haney, age 40, Sergeant; 
killed on M. & O. R. R. April 24th, 1862. Martin Yonce, 
age — , Sergeant; wounded at Bentonville, N. C, March 19th, 

1865. J. C. Holley, age 23, Sergeant; wounded at Murfrees- 
boro, Tenn., December 31st, 1863; by M. & O. R. R. April 
2|th, 1S62; promoted from the ranks. Wm. Glaze, age 23, 
Sergeant; died of wounds at Franklin, Tenn., November 30th, 
1864; promoted from the ranks. John R. Sneed, age 25, Ser- 
geant; wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 22nd, 1864; promoted 
from ranks. Grice Ambers, age 40, Corporal. William Tur- 
ner, age 24, Corporal; killed at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Decem- 
ber 31SL, 1863. J. S. William.s, age 32, Corporal. J. H. Os- 
burn, age 25, Corporal. M. Hainey, age — , Corporal; killed 
at Franklin, Tenn., November 30th, 1864. Charles T. Sty- 
ran, age 23, Corporal; killed at Atlanta, Ga., July 28th, 1864; 
promoted from ranks. 

PRIVATES. 

F. M. Arthur, age 28; Wm. Augustine, age 21, wounded on 
railroad in Georgia; C. T. Barton, age 22; Robert Barton, age 
68, discharged April 24th, 1862; John Broglen, age 28, killed 
by M. & O. R. R.; John Busbee, age 35; Allen Busbee. age 
24; Martin Burton, age 16; Stephen Cockran, age 25; Joe 
Cockran, age 16; Jabez Courtney, age 16; Wm. Cameron, age 
— ; Henry Day, age 28; Samuel Ergles, age 20; Daniel Ergles, 
age 16; B. Z. Fowler, age 21; Thomas Faulkner, age 20; Wm. 
Glaze, age 23; John Gregory, age 35, discharged; J. H. Ger- 
kin, age 25, Germany, wounded by M. & O. R. R., first man 
wounded in regiment — in engagement at Corinth, Miss.; G. W. 
Giles, age 25; Sam. Green, age 28; James Green, age 32; 
Jackson Green, age 27; Wm. Goings, age 30, wounded at 
Franklin, Tenn., November 3rd, 1S64; Ulysses Guantt, age 25, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 46 1 

lycxington, captured at Atlanta, Ga.; Jasper Howard, age 25; 
John Hatcher, age 16, transferred to Company "B"; James 
Hutto, age 23; Marion Hutto, age 16; S. Holesenbake, age 
45, discharged; John Jackson, age 25, wounded by M. & O. 
R. R., discharged on account of it; F. Jackson, age 21 ; Richard 
Johnson, age 23; Middleton Koon, age 45; Ivouis Koon, age 
36; James Long, age 30, Abbeville; M. Long, age 21, Abbe- 
ville; Wni. Martin, age 30; John Mobley, age 45, discharged; 
Luther Mills, age 21, died of disease; James Mills, age 44, 
died of disease; Joseph Nobles, age 36; Joseph New, age 35; 
George Overstreet, age 33, wounded by M. & O. R. R., En- 
terprise, Miss., April 24th, 1862; Henry Overstreet, age 2S; 
Tillman Padget, age 29, wounded by M. & O. R. R.. April 
24th, 1862; M. Pose}% age 45; Holden Posey, age 23; Wm, 
Parker, age 25; John Piper, age 32; Noah Plindell, age 25, 
died in hospital; Robert Patterson, age 22, Abbeville, wounded; 
Thomas Patterson, age 19, Abbeville, captured at Atlanta; 
R. P. Pinson, age iS, Abbeville; H. G. Randall, age 40, 
discharged; E. Randall, age 44; John Rowe, age 25; Miles 
Rhoden, age 17, died of disease, Charleston, S. C. , March, 
1862; Wm. Randall, age 30, killed at Snake Creek Gap, Ga. ; 
Joseph Steel, age 23; James Steel, age 17; James Snipes, age 
24; Sam. Simons, age 40, wounded by M. & O. R. R. and dis- 
charged; Wade Samuels, age 24; INT. Samuels, age 20; Milledge 
Smith, age 18; Bennet Smith, age 44, discharged; Martin 
Turner, age 22; Darling Turner, age 16; John Turner, age 23; 
Dowlas Timmerman, age 28; B. Turner, age 25; J. D. Turner, 
age 47; Peter Trimmons, age 19; James Walker, age 28; Wm. 
Wever, age 40, wounded M. & O. R. R. April 2z|.th, 1862; 
J. P. Wages, age — , wounded at Atlanta, lost a leg; Allen 
Yonce, age 25, wounded M. & O. R. R. April 24th, 1S62. 
Commissioned officers, 6; non-commissioned officers, 15; total., 
21; privates, 79; total rank and file, 100. Killed in battle, 4; 
killed by railroad, 3; died of wounds, i; died of disease, 4; 
total deaths, 12. 

All were from Edgefield except a few, whose counties I 
have named. The los.ses in this company were very light — 
barely one-eighth from all causes. 



462 HISTORY OF EDGEFIKLD. 

COMPANY B, SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "B," Sixth Regiment, Cavalry: 
L,e wis Jones, Captain; resigned 1863. James J. Gregg, Cap- 
tain; served to end of war; promoted from Second to First 
Lieutenant in 1862; to Captain 1863. Z. W. Carwile, First 
Lieutenant; resigned 1862. John M. Ward, First Lieutenant, 
served to end of war; promoted to Second Lieutenant 1862; 
from Second to First Lieutenant 1863. John Bauskett, Second 
Lieutenant, Richland; served to end of war. J. J. Bunch, 
Second Lieutenant; served to end of war. Samuel G. Cothran 
Sergeant, Abbeville; killed near Fayetteville, N. C, March, 
1865. W. H. Winn, Sergeant; killed near Columbia, S. C. , 
1865. Andrew Giles, Sergeant; died ofw-ounds near Rich- 
mond, Va., 1864; wounded near Travillian Station, Va. T. 
Shelton Fox, Sergeant, Lexington; served to end of war; ap- 
pointed Assistant Surgeon 1S63; J. L- Addison, Sergeant; 
serv^ed to end of war. John Briggs, Sergeant; served to end 
of war; promotcvd from Corporal 1865. Wm. C. Hart, Ser- 
geant; served to end of war; promoted from Corporal 1S65. 
B. W. Hard, Sergeant; served to end of war; promoted from 
Corporal 1865. James Ouattlebaum, Corporal; served to end 
of war. M. W. Clark, Corporal; promoted from ranks 1S64. 
Mark Crouch, Corporal; promoted from ranks 1S64. 

PRIVATES. 

John B. Abney, served through the war, died in 1S65; C. M. 
Adams, killed in a skirmish February, 1865; Geo. B. Addison, 
surrendered April, 1865; W. D. H. Allen, surrendered April, 
1865; Mat. Abney, Pickens Adams; Kldred N. Bartley, sur- 
rendered April, 1865; Richard M. Berry, v/ounded at Travil- 
lian Station, Va., served through; A. F. Broadwater, served 
through war; Geo. W. Broadwater, wounded at Rock Fish 
Creek, served through war; Robert E. Broadw^ater, served 
through war; Robert S. Brunson, served through war; N. L- 
Brunson, served through the war; Wm. H. Briggs, .served 
through the war; James M. Briggs, died of disease in 1864 in 
Virginia; C. M. Burkhalter, appointed Assistant Surgeon in 
1864; William Busb}^ transferred in 1864 to another command, 
afterwards wounded; Whitfield B. Brooks, killed in battle at 
Travillian Station, Va.; U. R. Brooks; Isaacs Bush, served 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 463 

through the war; Samuel Blackwell, died of disease iu Vir- 
ginia 1S64; Edward Bush; Wm. L. Claxton, killed in battle at 
Travillian Station, Va.; Latayette Cogburn, killed in a skir- 
mish; Iv. R. Cogburn, served through the war; Wm. B. Crane, 
discharged 1863; Geo. W. Crouch, served through the war; 
Watson E. Crouch, served through the war; Mike W. Clark; 
Sam. Cochran, killed in battle at Rock Fish Creek, N. C; J. 
Pickens Denny, served through the war; Henry W. Dobey, 
served through the war; John D. Eidson, served through the 
war; Henry W. Eubanks, served through the war; J. H. Ellis; 
Archy Fundyburg, died of disease July, 1863; Watson F'undy- 
burg, surrendered April, 1S65; Wm. R. Forrest, surrendered 
April, 1865; Jesse M. Fountaine. surrendered April, 1S65; 
Adam Fulman, surrendered April, 1865; John A. Green, sur- 
rendered April, 1865; Benj. F. Glanton, surrendered April, 
1865; J. Wm. Glanton, surrendered April, 1865; Charles R. 
Glanton, died of disease at Richmond, Va., 1864; Eewis Glan- 
ton, died of disease at home 1863; David M. Glover, surren- 
dered April, 1865; Franklin Harris, surrendered April, 1865; 
John W. Harris, surrendered April, 1865; Jesse M. Hart, sur- 
rendered April, 1865; Wm. Head, surrendered at Appomattox 
1865, transferred May, 1864, to another comnmnd; James M. 
Holden, surrendered at Appomattox 1865; B. O. Hernden, 
Marlboro, surrendered at Appomattox 1865, transferred May, 
1864: to another command; Lewis W. Holmes, surrendered 
April, 1865; E. Holsenbake, surrendered April, 1865; John 
Howard, surrendered April, 1865; W. J. Holloway, surren- 
dered April, 1S65; John Hatcher, Tillman S. Hudson; M. 
Johnson, surrendered April, 1865; David Kisick, surrendered 
April, 1865; John F. Kenny, transferred May, 1864, to another 
command; James Kimbrell, transferred May, 1864, to another 
command; Stanmore Kirkland, transferred May, 1864, to 
another command; J. Felder Kirkland, surrendered April, 
1865; Abner Kirkland, surrendered April, 1865; Wm. E. Kil- 
crease, surrendered April, 1865; Abrara Kilcrease, surren- 
dered April, 1865; Thomas Eanham, surrendered April, 
1865; G. Lewis, surrendered April, 1865; L. W. Mays, 
died of disease at home 1864; Wm. H. Mays, wounded 
at Travillian Station 1864, discharged, leg amputated; Samuel 
E. Mays, wounded at Travillian Station 1864, discharged, leg 



464 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

amputated; Washington O. Morgan, surrendered April, 1865; 
Charles R. Montague, surrendered April, 1865; Wm. Mc- 
Manus, surrendered April, 1865; E. J. Miller, surrendered 
April, 1865; David Myers, surrendered April, 1865; M. Robert 
Munalu, surrendered April, 1865; John H. Moss, killed in bat- 
tle at Travillian Station June, 1864; Matt. Moss, killed in bat- 
tle at Travillian Station June, 1864; J. Wiley Mayers, killed in 
battle at Travillian Station June, 1864; John Mitchell, trans- 
ferred to another command May, 1864; W. E. Middleton; 
James Nappier, killed in battle at Hatcher's Run; John R. 
Niernsee, age 18, surrendered April, 1865; Frank Niernsee, 
age 14, surrendered April, 1865; Geo. T. Piper, wounded in 
Virginia 1864, surrendered April, 1865; E. C. Prater, trans- 
ferred to another command; E. Padgett, killed in battle at 
Fayetteville, N. C. ; David Plunkett, killed at Travillian Sta- 
tion in 1864; John B. Presle}^ surrendered April, 1865; David 
Quarles, died .of disease at Kilpatrick (Union) Camp; Wm. 
Quarles, surrendered April, 1S65; Henry R. Quattlebaum; P. 
Randall, died of disease in Virginia 1864, transferred to 
another command 1864; Reuben Richardson, transferred to 
another command 1864; David. Reynolds, died of disease in 
Virginia 1864, transferred to another command 1864; W. D. 
Rountree, surrendered April, 1865; Charles Roper, died of 
di.sease at home 1864; George Rump, Colleton, surrendered 
April, 1865; John M. Scott, surrendered April, 1865, trans- 
ferred to another command 1864; John Scott, surrendered 
April, 1865, transferred to another command 1864; Milton 
Scott, surrendered April, 1865, transferred to another com- 
mand 1864; Jesse Scott, surrendered April, 1865, transferred to 
another command 1864; E- G. Spradley, .surrendered April, 
1865, transferred to another command 1864; Thomas Sego, 
died of disease in 1865; E. V. Steadman, Eexington, surren- 
dered April, 1865; Starling Turner, surrendered April, 1S65; 
Wm. H. Turner, surrendered April, 1865; Sumpter Turner, 
surrendered April, 1865; Robert Turner, surrendered April, 
1865, transferred to another command 1864; Wm. Tiramerman, 
surrendered April, 1865, transferred to another command 1864; 
John N. Perry, surrendered April, 1865, transferred to another 
command 1864; Geo. P. Trotter, surrendered April, 1S65; 
Thomas D. Villard, surrendered April, 1865; S. B. Whatley, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 465 

died of disease at home 1864; Thomas R. Williams, died of 
disease at Petersburg September, 1S64; A. G. Williams, sur- 
rendered April, 1S65; PressleyM. Williams, surrendered April, 
1865; Calvil Watson, surrendered April, 1865; E. D. Watson, 
surrendered April, 1865; John P. Wages, surrendered April, 
1S65, tranferred to another command in 1864; A. S. W. West, 
surrendered April, 1S65; Hezekiah Woods, surrendered April, 
1865. Commissioned officers, 6; non-commissioned, officers, 11; 
total, 17; privates, 124; total rank and file, 141. Killed in 
battle, II; died of wounds, 2; died of disease, 11; died in Kil- 
patrick Union Camp, i; total deaths, 25. Wounds not 
mortal, 5. 

Losses killed in battle in this troop were rather heavier 
than usual w'itli cavalry. I have observed that cavalry seldom 
suffers as much in battle as infantry. 

COMPANY I, STATE TROOPS. 

Roll of Company "I," South Carolina State Troops — Sta- 
tion Pocotaligo — February, 1864: 

J. C. Brooks, Captain; L. S. Johnson, First lyieutenant; 
C. H. Plunkett, Second Lieutenant; J. A. Bland, Third 
Lieutenat; W. P. Delph, First Sergeant; G. W. Thurmond, 
Second Sergeant; S. V.Johnson, Third Sergeant; W. L- An- 
derson, Fourth Sergeant; Wm. Culliam, First Corporal; J. P. 
Courtney, Second Corporal; Stephen Mays, Third Corporal; 
Robert D. Bryant, Fourth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

A. Adams, PL Adams, G. A. Addison, T. Broadwater, W. 
Cartledge, W. H. Cumbee, M. Coon, B. Davis, W. B. EIs- 
niore, B. Franklin, M. P^ranklin, W\ Grice, W. Glover, S. 
Glover, J. Glover, M. D. Green, Wm. Hill, T. Hitt, S. Hern- 
don, S. Hendrix, J. Jones, R. E. Kenney, W. Lippard, M. 
Lebeschultz, W. E. Legg, A. Lewis, R. Merriwether, A. 
Miles, W. L. Murrell, W. D. McGhee, J. C. Mills, W. B. 
Mays, L. Mayer, A. Nunberger, M. J. Palmer, El. Posey, 
Jesse Satcher for E. M. Posey, B. M. Posey for Jacob Mayer, 
W. Powell, James Powell, John Rhinehart, C. L. Refoe, E. 
Randall, Jno. Rossan, J. Rice, Jacob Mayer, Julius vSatcher, 
Joe. Saunders, S. M. Williamson, Jacob Wise, Joseph D. Tur- 
ner, H. Gulledge, Wm. P. Butler, Ed. Tankersly, M. De- 



466 HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 

Medicis, George Miller, Timothy Thomas, J. C. Kennedy. 
Total, 71. 

COMPANY B, SECOND REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "B," Second Regiment, State Troops, 
Colonel William Fort, commanding, Pocotaligo, S. C, Septem- 
ber, 1863, to February, 1864: 

George D. Huiett, Captain; Thomas Jones, First Lieutenant; 
Joseph Wyse, Second Lieutenant; Thomas Carson, Second 
Lieutenant; Ira Cromley, Orderly Sergeant — Clerk. 

PRIVATE.?. 

H. H. Mays, T. J. Burnett, John Pardue, Holloway Claig, 
Leuellen Matthews, Allen Kemp, David Hollowa}^ Mike 
Rile}^ Joseph Berr}-, Sam Dyer, Whitfield Smith, Henry 
Griffith, Rufus Jones, Henry Jones, Benjamin Lewis, Isham 
Culbreath, John Griffith, L. E. Holloway, H. Hair, D. A. J. 
Bell, Lewis Bean, Lod Hill, J. Weaver, G. Dorn, John Eidson, 
N. A. Burton, A. S. Powell, Dan'l Ridgell, Henry Hart, 
P. L. Wright, James vSmyley, E. J. Amaker, Andrew Cromer. 

COMPANY B, FOURTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "B," Fourteenth Infantry Regiment, 
South Carolina Volunteers: 

The whole compan^^, officers and men, were from Edgefield, 
so I need not repeat that statement. 

Pinckney A. West, age 32, Captain; wounded at Ox Hill; 
discharged at Camp Gregg in consequence of wound. James 
Boatwright, age 28, Captain; wounded at Port Royal; discharged 
at Appomattox; promoted from Second Lieutenant. Ezekiel 
W. Rutland, age 35, First Lieutenant; died of disease at Camp 
Butler October i6th, 1S61. Robert B. Watson, age 23, First 
Lieutenant; wounded at Frazier's Farm and at Gettysburg; dis- 
charged from Appomattox; promoted from Second Lieutenant. 
John W. Bell, age 21, Second Lieutenant; wounded at Gettys- 
burg; promoted from Fifth Sergeant. Ervin A. Roach, Jr., 
age 22, Second Lieutenant; wounded at Gettysburg; promoted 
from the ranks. Henry Rauch, Jr., age 19, Second Lieuten- 
ant; killed in battle at Gettysburg 1863; promoted from the 
ranks. Francis W, Gibson, age 21, First Sergeant; wounded 
at Gaines' Mill; transferred. James H. White, age 25, First 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 467 

Sergeant; killed at Petersburg in 1864; promoted from First 
Corporal. Woodruff W. Holston, age 17, First Sergeant; dis- 
charged at Hart's Island, N. Y. ; promoted from the ranks. 
John M. Corley, age 23, Second Sergeant; discharged at Appo- 
mattox. John M. lyOtt, age 20, Third Sergeant; discharged at 
Point I^ookout. Joseph R. Huiett, age 19, Fourth Sergeant; 
killed at Frazier's Farm 1862. George Y. lyangford, age 20, 
Fourth Sergeant; discharged Hart's Island, N. Y. William 
W. Chapman, age 30, First Corporal; discharged Hart's Is- 
land, N. Y. William D. h. Miller, age 21, Second Corporal, 
killed at Deep Bottom July 2Sth, 1S64. Jesse Jennings, age 21 , 
Third Corporal, died of disease at Richmond 1862. Robert 
Brooks, age 25, F'ourth Corporal; died since the war. John E. 
Grice, age 18, Fifth Corporal; wounded Gaines' Mill; died of 
disease at Columbia, S. C. Nathan N. Burton, age 18, Sixth 
Corporal; wounded at Deep Bottom; discharged from Hart's 
Island, N. Y. 

PFIVATES. 

L,evi W. Addy, age 20, discharged at Appomattox; David 
S. Bodie, age 23, killed at Petersburg April 2nd, 1S65; Felix 
Bodie, age 45, died of disease at Richmond 1864; Andrew 
Bartley, age 23, killed at Port Royal January ist,, 1861; 
Westley Bartley, age 22, wounded at Second Manassas, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; Samuel Bartley, age 16, discharged 
at Appomattox; Daniel Berry, age 19, discharged at Appo- 
mattox; Nathan Bodie, age 25, discharged at Appomattox; 
Daniel Busby, age 18, discharged at Appomattox, died since 
the war; William Busby, age 18, wounded at Port Royal, dis- 
charged at Appomattox, transferred to Seventh Infantry; 
George Black, age 19, discharged at Appomattox; Jesse 
Black, age 21, wounded at Ox Hill and vSecond Manassas, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; Mark P. Black, age 17, wounded at 
Second Manassas and at Chancellorsville, discharged at Appo- 
mattox; Pressley Buzzard, age 20, died of disease at Rich- 
mond 1862; John Brown, age 25, killed at Gettysburg July 
2nd, 1863; James M. Brown, age 19, wounded at Gaines' Mill, 
discharged at Appomattox; Jesse Brown, age 21, wounded at 
Chancellorsville and discharged at Appomattox; Obidiah 
Eodie, age 30, died of disease at Richmond 1862; Tillman 



468 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Brown, age i8, discharged at Appomattox; Hilary A. Clark^ 
age 28, discharged at Appomattox; Joseph A. Clark, age 17, 
discharged at Appomattox; John Crouch, age 30, wounded at 
Chancellorsville and died of his wounds since the war; Wil- 
liam Crouch, age 28, wounded at Second Manassas and at 
Deep Bottom, discharged at Appomattox; Jacob W. Crouch, 
age 18, discharged at Appomattox; J. Jackson Chapman, age 
28, wounded at Chancellorsville and at Gaines' Mill, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; George W. Chapman, age 20, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; Adam Chapman, age 18, wounded at 
Second Manassas, discharged at Appomattox; Adam D. Cor- 
ley, age 20, wounded at Deep Bottom, discharged at Appo- 
mattox; Uriah Etheridge, age 18, wounded twice at Gaines' 
Mill, discharged at Appomattox; Guildford Etheridge, age 25, 
killed at Gettysburg June 2nd, 1862; Caleb Etheridge, age 21, 
discharged at Appomattox; Robert V. Faulkner, age 18, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; lyarkin Faulkner, age 20, discharged 
at Appomattox, died since the war; John R. Gibson, age 23, 
discharged at Appomattox; Ambrose Gibson, age 18, wounded 
at Petersburg and Second Manassas, discharged at Appomat- 
tox, died since; Pressley W. Gillion, age 25, discharged at 
Appomattox, died since; John R. Gillion; age 19, wounded at 
Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg, discharged at Appomat- 
tox; Allen Gillion, age 31, discharged at Appomattox; Guild- 
ford A. Gilder, age 18, died in Union Prison at David's Island 
— supposed in 1863; Joseph P. Hewson, age 17, wounded at 
Port Royal, transferred to Seventh South Carolina Infantry; 
William P. Havird, age 18, wounded at Gettysburg, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; Andrew Hargit, age 25, killed at 
Deep Bottom Jul}' aSth, 1864; George Harris, age 25, wounded 
at Gettysburg and discharged at Appomattox; Caleb Hare, 
age 17, killed at Chancellorsville Ma)- 3rd, 1863; James Hare, 
age 19", wounded at Deep Bottom and at Gaines' Mill, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; Pinckney W. Harris, age 17, 
wounded at Chancellorsville, discharged at Appomattox; Wil- 
liam A. Hardy, age 18, wounded at Gaines' Mill, discharged 
at Appomattox; Philip Jennings, age 21, discharged at Appo- 
mattox; Henry Jennings, age 18, wounded at Gaines' Mill, 
lost a leg, discharged at Richmond; Matthew W. Jennings, 
age 17, died in Union Prison; Lot Jennings, age 31, discharged 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 469 

at Appomattox; James J. Jones, age 29, discharged at Appo- 
mattox; Robert T. Jones, age 31, killed at Petersburg in 1864; 
Warren L,aidler, age 2^, transferred to Seventh Infantry; 
Hezekiah K. lyaidler, age 17; P. J. Lankford, age 17, died of 
wounds at Port Royal 1862; lyewis M. lyankford, age 19, died 
of wounds at Port Royal 1862; General M^gare, age 18, dis- , 
charged at Appomattox; Joseph F. McHare, age 35, wounded y, 
at Spottsylvania, discharged at Appomattox; William McHa re, 7)i'^'i^J^\' 
age 19, discharged at Appomattox, died since; John Mathis, 
age 20, wounded at Gettysburg, discharged at Appomattox; 
Bailey Matthews, age 16, discharged at Appomattox; An- 
drew G. McGee, age 21, died of disease at Port Royal 1862; 
William D. McGee, age 15, wounded at Second Manassas and 
at Chancellorsville, discharged at Appomattox; Joseph McGee, 
age iS, killed at Deep Bottom July 28th, 1864; Alfred Ma- 
roney, age 18, transferred to Seventh Infantry; William T. 
Minick, age 27, discharged at Hart's Island; Joel Minick, age 
21, wounded at Port Royal and at Gettysburg, discharged at 
Appomattox; Jacob Minick, age 22, wounded at Spottsylvania, 
discharged at Appomattox; Thomas H. Miller, age iS, killed 
at Gettysburg July 2nd, 1863; George W. McCarthy, age 26, 
died at Richmond of wounds 1S62; Plenry McCullough, age 
30, discharged at Appomattox, died since; Edgar Merchant, 
age 18, killed at Port Royal January ist, 1S62; Joseph Outz, 
age 18, wounded at Frazier's Farm seven times in one battle; 
John H. Outz, age 20, killed in battle near Petersburg; Thomas 
Outz, age 23, died of disease at Malvern Hill, wounded at 
Chancellorsville; George Outz, age 16, wounded at Second 
Manassas, discharged at Appomattox; Lav.-son Padgett, age 

17, killed at Petersburg 1864; Wesley P. Padgett, age 18, 
killed at Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863; Henry H. Padgett, age 

18, wounded at Deep Bottom, discharged at Appomattox; 
Emri Padgett, age 17, transferred to Seventh Infantry; Nat. 
Y. Padget. age 15, wounded at Chancellorsville, paroled from 
Klmira Prison; Mahlon Padgett, age 17; died of disease at 
Orange Court House, Va., 1863; M. Turner Parker, age 22. 
died of disease at Bowling Green 1862; Ezekiel A. Perry, age 
20, wounded at Second Manassas, discharged at Appomattox; 
Thomas Perry, age 18, killed at Spottsylvania May, 1862; 
John E. Perry, age 16, wounded near James River, discharged 



470 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

at AppoinaUox; Michael Ply male, age 23, killed at Port Royal 
January ist, 1862; Augustus M. Rogers, age 30, discliarged at 
Chimborazo Hospital; James Rogers, age 25, discliarged at 
Appomattox; Martin Rogers, age 18, discharged at Appomat- 
tox; Gonan Richardson, age 20, killed by train at Petersburg; 
James R. Rivers, age 23, wounded at r3eep Bottom, discharged 
at Appomattox; Samuel N. Ranch, age 20, wounded at Get- 
tysburg, discharged at Appomattox; James F. Rutherford, 
age 17, wounded at Gettysburg, discharged at Appomattox; 
Mastin Rowe, age iS, wounded at Gettysburg, discharged at 
Appomattox; Francis M. Riser, age 18. killed at Port Royal 
January ist, 1862; Jacob I. Ranch, age 25, discharged at Ap- 
pomattox; John Rowe, age 16, discharged at Appomattox; 
William H. Stone, age 24, wounded at Gaines' Mill, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; John Stone, age 20, killed at Gaines' 
Mill; Jackson Snipes, age 23, died of disease at Richmond 
1863; Richard W. Smith, age 19, died in Union Prison, David's 
Island, 1863; J. M. Salter, age 25, transferred to Peagram's 
Battery; James Salter, age 18, transferred to Seventh In- 
fantry; Francis M. Snelgrove, age 20, killed at Gettysburg 
July 2nd, 1863; I^uther Snelgrove, age 18, discharged at Ap- 
pomattox; William Sawj'er, age 23, died of disease at Rich- 
mond; James P. Thompson, age 25; Jesse W. Vincent, age 23. 
died of disease at Richmond 1862; Jacob W. Whittle, age 17, 
discharged at Point I^ookout; Malachi Whittle, age 18, 
wounded at Frazier's Farm, discharged at Appomattox; Joel 
M. Whittle, age 16, died of disease in Union Prison at Chester, 
Penn., wounded at Harper's Ferry in 1863; Hanier Whittle, 
age 18, wounded at Gettysburg four times in the same battle, 
discharged at iVppomattox; Ira Whittle, age 35, died of 
disease at Baltimore in 1S63; Wesley Whittle, age 37, died of 
disease at Richmond in 1S62; Hezekiah Whittle, age 20, dis- 
charged at Appomattox; William J. Wise, age 20, died of 
disease at Petersburg in 1863; Calhoun Wise, age 18, wounded 
at Wilderness, lost a leg; Tyre Wise, age 16, died of disease at 
Petersburg in 1863; Andrew M. Whitman, age 18, died in 
Union Prison, Chester, Penn., 1862 or 1863; I^arkin W, War- 
ren, age 15, wounded at Chancellorsville and at Gaines' Mill, 
discharged at Appomattox; Rhyder Walker, age 18, trans- 
ferred to Seventh Infantry; Henry C. White, age 20, wounded 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 47I 

at Second Manassas and at Chancellorsville, discharged at Ap- 
pomattox; Michael J. Watson, age 17, discharged at Appomat- 
tox; John Wilson, age 40, discharged at Appomattox; John 
Waits, age 16, killed near Petersburg April 2nd, 1865. 
Officers commissioned and non-commissioned, 20; privates, 
127; total rank and file, 147. Killed in battle, 23; killed by- 
railroad accident, i; died of wounds, 3; died of disease, 17; 
died in prison, 5; total deaths, 49. 

The number killed in battle in this company is rather above 
the average — died of wounds below the average. 

The whole loss is precisely one third during the war, which 
I have found to be the average loss of all the companies, the 
rolls of which I have copied. Some went a little over, some a 
little under. This compan}- is the fxrst one which I have found 
to be exact. If the Confederate States had in actual service in 
the field during the war as many as 240,000 men, then the 
actual number of deaths in battle and from the casualties of the 
war, was not less than 80,000. It is true, however, that some 
of the 80,000 would have died during that time; but it is true, 
nevertheless, that the war slaughtered in the Southern States 
60,000 able-bodied men besides rendering many others cripples 
for life. "lyord, what fools these mortals be." 



From the Baltimore Sun. 

"THE CONFEDERATE FLAG." 

The quarterly meeting of the Baltimore Chapter, United 
Daughters of Confederacy, was marked yesterday by the read- 
ing of an original poem on the Confederate flag composed and 
read by the President, Mrs. D. Giraud Wright. The poem is 
as follows: 

"THE COXFEDERATE FLAG." 

"The hands of our womeu made it. 

Baptized in or.r mothers tears 
And drenched with the blood of our kindred 

With hope for those four long years, 
Across vale and plain we watched it 

While the tide of battle rolled, 
And with streaming eyes have we followed 

The wave of each soft silken fold. 



472 HISTORY OF EDGKFIKLD. 

"As high over our hosts it floated, 

Throue[h dust and din of the fight, 
We could catch the glint of spearhead 

And the flash of crimson light; 
While the blood of men who bore it 

Flovred fast on the reddened plain, 
And our cry went up in anguish 

To our God for our martyred slain. 

"And we went and watched and waited 

By our lonely household fire, 
I'or the mother gave her firstborn 

And the daughter gave her sire, 
Lut the Vv'ife sent forth her husband 

The maiden her lover sweet, 
And hearts kept time in the silence 

To the rhythmic tread of their feet. 

"As they marched o'er vale and moimtains, 

While our banners rose and fell. 
Though victory often crowned it 

As the Northern hosts can tell. 
But the %\ hole world was against us; 

Our battle we fought alone. 
Till the conquerors —want and famine — 

Bade us lay our colors down. 

"Cold are the loved hands that bore it. 

Stilled are the brave hearts and true, 
Watching nor waiting can bring them, 

Weeping is all we can do. 
Light from our banner has faded, 

We, in its shadow forlorn, 
Have only our mem'ries left us, 

And our battle flag drooping and torn. 

"No hand of vandal shall touch it. 

'Tis shrined in our heart of hearts 
With dearest, holiest mem'ries; 

And the burning tear drops starts, 
While laurel we weave and cypress 

For the fair, the brave, the good; 
The only stain on our banner 

Is the stain of our heroes' blood." 

The poem by Mrs. D. Giraud Wright, of this city, on the 
Confederate flag, read 3'esterday at the meeting of the Daugh- 
ters of the Confederacy, will touch many hearts. The titanic 
struggle of which the Confederate flag is the symbol, and the 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 473 

noble qualities it called forth in a brave, conscientious and 
chivalric people, must ever commaud the interest and respect 
of all generous minds. All the world honors the magnificent 
efforts of the South in behalf of what it deemed right and expe- 
dient, though all the world may not view its failure with 
regret. The sentiment of loyaltj'" with which ex-Confederates 
regard their flag is intelligible and commands the deference, if 
not sympathy, of tho£e who upheld the stars and stripes. 
There is much that is pathetic in the memories the sight of the 
flag of the Confederacy invokes, and it has inspired many 
poems, of which Mrs. Wright's is one of the best. 

COrvIPANY D, FOURTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Roll of Company "D," Fourteenth Regiment Infantry, 
South Carolina Volunteers, — all from Edgefield: 

Abner Perrin, Captain; promoted lylajor, Colonel, and Bri- 
gadier General; killed at Spottsylvania. E. H. Youngblood, 
Captain; Vvounded at Ox Hill; promoted from First Eieuten- 
ant; appointed Enrolling Officer in 1S63. E. S. Minis, Cap- 
tain; woui:ded at Malvern Hill; promoted from Second and 
First Lieutenant. W. H. Brunson, First Eieutenant; wounded 
at Cold Harbor, Gettysburg, and Petersburg; promoted from 
Third Eieutenant. H. D. Crooker, Second Lieutenant; killed 
at Gettysburg, promoted from First Sergeant; W. E. Durisoe, 
S2cond Lieutenant; wounded at Noel's vStntion; promoted 
from ranks. L. W. Youngblood, Second Lieutenant; promoted 
from Sergeant; transferred to Enrolling Department. T. W. 
Carwile, Sergeant Major; wounded at Chancellorsville; pro- 
moted from the ranks. J. B. Wallace, First Sergeant; 
wounded at Chancellorsville; promoted from the ranks. B. A. 
Jones, First ^ Sergeant; wounded at Chancellorsville, Cold 
Harbor, and at Petersburg. Lewis Coleman; F'irst Sergeant; 
killed at Manassas. C. L- Durisoe, First Sergeant; promoted 
from Corporal. Joe Brunson, First Sergeant; wounded at 
Gettysburg and at the Wilderness; promoted from the ranks; 
J. T. Gray, First Sergeant; wounded at Chancellorsville; pro- 
mVced from the ranks. James Paul, First Sergeant; promoted 
from the ranks. Jackson Covar, Commanding Sergeant; pro- 
moted from the ranks. M. T. McHenry, Corporal; wounded ^ 
at Cold Harbor; promoted Ensign. B. T. Swearengen, Cor- 



474 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

poral; died of disease ill hospital in 1862. John Roper, Cor- 
poral; transferred to the vSeventh Infantry May, 1862. W. S. 
Covar, Corporal; wovuided at Spottsylvania; promoted from 
ranks. J. A. Colgan, Corporal; killed at Malvern Hill; 
wounded at Manassas and Gettysburg; promoted from ranks. 
T. P. Delvoach, Corporal; wounded at Gettj^sburg and Noel's 
Station; promoted from the ranks. 

PRIVATES. 
W.'H. Atkinson, age 33, from Aiken; T. C. Banks, age 36, 
died of disease in hospital in 1864; W. V. Bartee, age 26, died 
of disease in hospital in 1864; M. ly. Bartley, age 17, wounded 
at Gettysburg; N. ly. Bartley, age 32, killed at Gettysburg; 
T. W. Bartley, age 30, furnished substitute January, 1863; 
James Boyd, age 44, killed at Noel's Station; John Bridwell, 
age 21; killed at Gettysburg; G. M. Broadwater, age 29; R. PI. 
Broadwater, age 25, wouidsd at Chancellorsville; J. F. Bur- 
ton, age 33, discharged March 15th, 1863; L,. R. Boyce, age 
17, died of disease in hospital in 1863; ly. H. Bryan, age 22, 
Musician; W. D. Bryan, age 18, Musician; J. O. Brunson, age 
16, wounded at Cold Harbor; C. A. Cheatham, age 18, 
wounded at Manassas, transferred to vSecond Infantry in 1864; 
J. H. Cheatham, age 17, wounded at Cold Harbor and Gett3^s- 
burg; Oscar Cheatham, age 16, wounded at Cold Harbor and 
Spottsylvania; M. A. Christie, age 22, wounded Cold liarbor; 
B. W. Christian, age 28, wounded at Gettysburg; John Cock- 
rell, age 14, wounded at Petersburg; Enos Clark, age 60, dis- 
charged November, 1861; W. L. Clark, age 22, killed at Cold 
Harbor; William Clark, age 20, killed at Cold Harbor; W. ly. 
Coleman, age 35; L. P. Collura, age 20, wounded at Wilder- 
ness and Petersburg; J. M. Collum, age 17, wounded at Peters- 
burg; A. Collum, age 22; B. Corley, age 26, wounded at Wil- 
derness and Gett^'slnirg; C. S. Corley, age 22, died of disease 
in hospital 1862; F. H. Corley, age 20, killed at Gettysburg; 
W. Corley, age iS, wounded at Cold Harbor, discharged Feb- 
ruary, 1863; C. L, Covar, age 23, died of disease in hospital 
1S62; J. W. Covar, age 25; L. P. Covar, age 16, wounded at 
Chancellorsville; John Cose}', age 20, wounded at Chancellors- 
ville; J. E. Colgan, age i7, wounded at Gettysburg; J. C. De- 
, lyOach, age 30, killed at the Wilderness; Jabez DeEoach, age 
20, wounded at Gettysburg and Noel's Station; E. M. Dinkins, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 475 

age 24, wounded at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; G. R. 
Durisoe, age 17, killed at Petersburg; David Etheridge, age 
18, wounded at Gettysburg, Joseph Gray, age 16, wounded at 
Cold Harbor; W. B. Griffin, age 18, wounded at Gettysburg; 
A. Grice, age 16, died of disease in hospital 1862; John 
Gregory, age iS, discharged November 23rd, 1861; W. P. 
Goodman, age 15, discharged April 22nd, 1864; W. W. Good- 
man, age 40, appointed SKtler October, 1861; L. D. Hagood, 
age 26; L. D. Hickson, age 16, wounded at Cold Harbor and 
Wilderness; John Hatcher, age 26, died of disease in hospital 
January, 1863; John Harrison, age 22, killed at Cold Harbor; 
H. B. Harrison, age 17, wounded at Cold Harbor and Peters- 
burg; John Hostillo, age 52, discharged April 30th, 1S64; 
P. B. Kissic, age 24, killed at Noel's Station, wounded at 
Culpepper; H. G. Kissic, age 22, died of disease in hospital 
May, 1863; M. IvOtt, age 22, wounded at Chancellorsville and 
Wilderness; W. M. Lott, age 26, Musician; S. P. lyott, age 24, 
discharged November 22nd, 1863; Paul Mapuss, age 25, 
wounded at Chancellorsville; W. D. McCarty, age 17, wounded 
at Cold Harbor; W. H. McCliutock, age 17, discharged De- 
cember 19th, 1861; J. P. Moss, age 20, vs'ounded at Frazier's 
Farm and Chancellorsville, transferred to Second Infantry; 
F, A. Murrell, age 22, wounded at Frazier's Farm; G. W. 
Murrell, age 16, wounded at Boteler's Ford and Spottsylvania; 
J. W. McCuUough, age 20; William McGee, age 19; F. M. 
Nicholas, age 43, discharged January 25th, 1S63; A. R. 
Nicholas, age 16; Samuel Overstreet, age 24, wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Noel's Station; P. P. Posey, 
age 28, wounded at Gettysburg, Malvern Hill, Pcterburg; 
W. H. Posey, age 21, died of disease in hospital 1S63, wounded 
at Chancellorsville; W. C. Prater, age 48, discharged March 
loth, 1863; P. M. Prater, age 21, died in Union Prison, 
wounded at Cold Harbor and at Gettysburg; N. P. Raimey, 
age 23; W. D. Raimey, age 21, wounded at ]\Ialvern Hill; 
Felix Ridgell, age 17, killed at Gettysburg; T. T. Ridgell, age 
20, killed at Petersburg, wounded at Cold Harbor and Gettys- 
burg; Cullen Rowe, age 17; Simpson Rowe, age 20; W. P. 
Ryan, age 16, wounded at Noel's Station; P. B. Ryan, age 
45, discharged April, 1863; T. M. Sawyer, age 35, killed at 
Cold Harbor; J. T. Sawyer, age 17, wounded at Cold Harbor, 



476 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Chraicellorsville; J. A. Sease, age 26; J. D. Smitherman, age 
28, killed at Frazier's Farm; H. A. vStrom, age 17, killed at 
Noel's Station, wounded at Manassas; T. C. Strom, age 17, 
wounded at Chancellorsville; T. J. Strom, age 20, killed at 
Petersburg, wounded at Cold Harbor; D. W. Thomas, age 25;. 
G. J. Toney, age 30; A. S. Walker, age 23, Hospital Steward;- 
W. S. Walker, age 21, wounded at Cold Harbor, Gettysburg,- 
O. P. Walker, age 19, killed at Chancellorsville; William Wal- 
ton, age 17; John Williams, age 26, died of disease in hospital 
1862; S. M. Williams, age 21; Steel White, age 45, killed at 
Cold Harbor; A. G. Woodruff, age 18; John Whittle, age 42, 
wounded at Gettysburg; A. W. Youngblood, age 25, pro- 
moted Assistant Surgeon September loth, 1861; J. A. Young- 
blood, age 17, died of diseases in hospital in 1S65, wounded 
at Manassas and Chancellorsville; J. M. Youngblood, age 20, 
wounded at Gettysburg. Officers commissioned and non-com- 
missioned, 2.':; privates, 103; total rank and file, 125. Killed 
in battle, 21; died of disease in hospital, 12; died in Union 
Prison, i; total deaths, 34. 

Total loss from all causes a little less than one-third of the 
whole number, but the number killed in battle is a fraction 
greater than the usual rate, being a little over one-sixth of the 
whole. 

COMPANY G, FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Company "G," Fourteenth Regiment South Carolina Vol- 
unteers. The following members of this company and regi- 
ment were from Edgefield County: 

J. T. Gordon, age 27, Second Lieutenant; i-ied at Gettys- 
burg of wounds; wounded at Gaines' Mill; promoted from First 
Sergeant to Second lyieutenant March 20th, 1S63. J. M. 
Dyson, age 20, Second Lieutenant; promoted from ranks ta 
Second Lieutenant February 17th, 1864. 

PRIVATES. 

John L. Bussey, age 18, killed at Gaines Mill; T. R. Cole- 
man, age 22, surrendered April 9th, 1865; T. J. Coleman, age 
18, died of disease February 9th, 1862; James E. Goff, age 18, 
wounded at Fredericksliurg and Petersburg; Seaborn Stalna- 
ker, age 18, paroled from prison; Samuel Stalnaker, age 25,,, 
died of wounds at Gettysburg July loth, 1863. 



HISTORY OP EDGEl'lEIvD. "477 



XXXVIII. 

COMPANY K, FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "K," Fourteenth Regiment vSouth Caro- 
lina Volunteers: 

D. C. Tomkins, Captain, resigned in 1S62. O. W. Allen, 
First Fieutenant; resigned in 1862. W. F. Stevens, Second 
Feutenant; resigned in 1S63. James H. Allen, Third Fieu- 
tenant; promoted to Captain in 1863. J. A. Fandrum, First 
Sergeant; killed in battle May 12th, 1S64, at Spottsylvania 
C. H., Va. B. B. Bryan, Second Sergeant; made Second 
Fieutenant; disabled in battle 3rd of May, 1864. Simeon Cog- 
burn, Third Sergeant; made Second Fieutenant; severely 
wounded at Gettysburg July ist, 1S63. E. F. Strother, Fourth 
Sergeant; wounded near Richmond, Va. , detailed to Pioneer 
Company. E. R. Mobley, Fifth Sergeant; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 3rd, 1863. J. R. Hill, Sixth Sergeant; 
■wounded. R. G. Johnson, First Corporal; wounded in battle — 
discharged. F. F- Harling, Second Corporal; killed at Fred- 
ericksburg, Va., 13th December, 1863. E. M. Outzs, Third 
Corporal; killed at Fredericksburg, Va., 13th December, 1863. 
J. C. Buzhardt, 4th Corporal; severely wounded at Gettysburg, 
Pa., July 3rd, 1863. R. S. Tombs, Fifth Corporal; wounded 
-at Gettysburg, ist July, 1863. J. U. Werts, Sixth Corporal; 
died since the war. 

PRIVATES. 

A. B. Adams, killed at Gettysburg, Pa., ist July, 18G3; W. 
H. W. Adams; W. J. Adams, wounded near Richmond — trans- 
ferred to supporting force at home; W. S. Allen, appointed 
Second Fieutenant for distinguished valor at Spottsylvania 
C. H., May i2tb, 1864, and assigned to Company "K,'' Four- 
teenth, South Carolina Volunteers, as Brevet Captain; A. B. 
Amaker, wounded near Richmond, 1S62, discharged 28th 
December, 1864; R. D. Amaker, wounded; Alex Adkins, died 
since the war; Oliver Adkins, eye shot out near Richmond, 
Va., discharged; H. R. Adkins, recruit; Je.s.sa Berry, died of 
disease at Richmond; J. P. Berry, died of wounds near Rich- 
mond; A. M. Buzhardt, died ot wounds in hands of enemy; 



47^ HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

J. W. Buzhardt, discharged; Wm. Bledsoe; V. B. Bledsoe, died 
of disease at Ricliinoud, 1862; Benj. Busby; D. P. Butler; 
Goodwin Bryan, killed in battle near Richmond; Lewis Bled- 
soe, died at home of measles; J. H. Cogburn, died of disease in 
hospital at Richmond, 1862; Charbar Dean, severely wounded; 
J. L,. Dobey, killed at Gettysburg July ist, 1863; Wm. Dodgen; 
Wm. Durst; Benedict Dean, died at home of measles; A. B. 
Dean, received in place of Peter Rogers; Joshua Edwards; J. H. 
Edwards, detailed to Pioneer Company; Gibson P. Faulkner, 
severely wounded near Richmond; G. W. Free killed at Get- 
tysburg 3rd July, 1863; L. M. Free, detailed to Pioneer Com- 
pany; John Faulkner, severely wounded and captured at Get- 
tysburg ist July, 1863; Thos. Faulkner; Whit Glauzier, severely 
wounded — Wilderness, 1864; J. M. Goleman, killed near Rich- 
mond; U. J. Goleman, severely wounded near Richmond ; W. J. 
Graham, killed near Richmond; W. D. Graddick; Jno. A. 
Green, wounded and transferred to cavalry; H. F. Green, 
detailed to brass band; Joseph Harling, died at hospital; Lem- 
uel Harling; Jam^^s Harling, died at hospital; Rufus Harling, 
wounded at Gettysburg July ist, 1863, also at Wilderness; 
T. B. Harvey, died of wounds in hospital; Whit llarvely; Mil- 
ledge Hall, died of disease at hospital; W. M. Harris, wounded; 
P. B. Head, w^ounded and discharged; B. R. Hill; Mahlon 
Hearn, killed at Second Manassas; W. F. Horn, died after war 
from old wounds; Cornelius Horn; D. B. Johnston, died of 
disease at hospital; Allen King, killed at Gettysburg July ist, 
1863; M. C. Little, killed at Chancellorsville, Va. ; L. O. Love- 
lace, belonged to brass band; E. M. Martin, belonged to brass 
band; B. W. Mayson; J. M. May, killed near Richmond, Va.; 
Silas Morse, furnished a substitute; Solomon Morse, joined 
Laurens Artillery without leave; W. H. Monce, deserted in 
Battle of the Wilderness; E. V. Moble}', discharged and joined 
cavalry; John Malay, substitute for Stevens Tompkins — 
deserted; Willis Neal, died of wounds at hospital; W. H. Neal, 
died of wounds at hospital; John Ouzts; Martin Ouzts; Andrew 
Ouzts, killed near Richmond; John W, Ouzts; James Ouzts, 
killed at Gettysburg; Marion Ouzts; F. M. Ouzts; W. H. 
Ouzts, severely wounded; J. L- Ouzts, killed at Wilderness; 
J. H. Ouzts; B. F. Ouzts; George Ouzts, killed at Gettysburg 
ist July, 1863; Franklin Ouzts, lost an arm at Spottsylvania 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 479 

C. H. i2th May, 1864; Jesse Parkman, killed near Richmond.; 
J. S. Poliattie, left command without leave; H. D. Ouattle- 
baum, died of disease at hospital; L,arkin Rice, wounded at 
Noel Station; James Rile}', discharged; Williamson Rice, 
killed at Gettysburg ist July, 1863; Peter Rodgers, exchanged 
for A. B. Dean; J. L- Russell; Martin Rodgers; A. J. Rome; 
J. Asa Stevens, wounded; Lafayette Stevens, severely 
wounded; M. W. Stevens, killed at Gettysburg ist July, 1863; 
Thos. Steedhan, died of disease at hospital; John Sheppard; 
B. N. Strother; J. L,. Timmerman, killed near Richmond; A. J. 
Timmerraan; B. M. Timmerman, died of disease in hospital; 
B. W. Timmerman, discharged; E. Timmerman, severely 
wounded at Gettysburg ist July, 1863; G. M. Timmerman, 
severely wounded at Gettj'sburg ist Jtily, 1863; J. H. Tim- 
merman; J. ly. Timmerman, died of disease in hospital; R. W. 
Timmerman, died of disease in hospital; F. Timmerman, killed; 
W. E. Timmerman; Jno. Tompkins, died of wounds; Stevens 
Thompkins, furnished Jno. Malay substitute; W. H. Turner 
exchanged for Franklin Ouzts; George Turner; James Taylor; 
A. C. Werts; M. W. Wooten, killed at the Wilderness. Total, 
officers, 16; privates, 114; total, rank and file, 130. Killed in 
battle, 22; died of disease, 14; died of wounds, one since the 
war, 7; total number of deaths, 43. "Wounds received, not 
fatal, 26. 

The deaths in this company is thus seen to be about one- 
third of the whole number of enlisted men in it. This I find 
to be above the average — it is rarely greater — sometimes less. 

As part of the history of Company "K" and of the Four- 
teenth Regiment, I insert the following, clipped from the Char- 
leston News and Courier: 

Clark's Hill, S. C, July 30th, 1891. 
To the Editor of the News and Courier: 

As a subscriber to your valuable paper, I ask the favor of 
you to publish my letter of inquiry as to the whereabouts of 
the colors of the Fourteenth South Carolina Regiment. I was 
a member of that regiment and feel interested as to final dis- 
posal of its colors. By complying with the above you will 
confer a favor. Respectfully, 

RUFUS HARMING. ; 



480 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

In the early days of 1865 McGowan's Brigade was holding 
the right wing of General Lee's army. Early in the morning 
we were ordered to move out of our works, by the right flank,, 
in the direction of the South Side Railroad, to cover the re- 
treating and shattered forces of I^ee's army, and soon after we 
had gotten on the march Captain Dunlap's Battalion of sharp- 
shooters was ordered to the rear, deployed, and ordered to fall 
back in rear of the brigade. Soon after crossing a small 
stream we heard the roaring as that of distant thunder, which 
we soon discovered to be the mighty host of Sheridan's Cav- 
alry in hot pursuit, and each cavalryman seemed to have a 
man behind him. As soon as they would come within range, 
the men behind would dismount and fire on us. Vv^e would 
return the fire as often as possible. Thus for some distance 
we were hotly pursued. 

As soon as the brigade reached the South Side Railroad it 
halted, and formed a line of battle. Hastil}'- piling up some 
rails as a protection from the advancing foe, which was a wel- 
come cover to the hard pressed sharp-shooters, we fell in with 
the brigade as we found it, but not long to rest, for soon the 
enemy emerged from the woods into the open field in a splen- 
did line of infantry to charge a little remnant of men. As 
they advanced across an open field they were allowed to come 
within easy range of our rifles. It then seemed that every 
man was determined to make his shots count, for after two or 
three voile 3'S the enemy fell back in disorder to the woods 
from where they can:e. Receiving reinforcements, rapidly 
formed and moved to our left, and with their overwhelming 
forces we were compelled to retreat in disorder. 

After crossing the railroad in the direction of the Appomat- 
tox River, I came up with the Color-Bearer of the Fourteenth 
South Carolina Regiment, and around him were about twenty- 
five men of the First, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, and 
Fourteenth Regiments. Not having time to consult as to the 
better way of safety, we moved hastily on to the Appomattox 
River, thinking we might cro.ss and join lyongstreel's Corps, 
which was thought to be retreating up the river from Rich- 
mond. Finding the river considerably swollen and no way of 
crossing, we made our way up the river as best we could. 
Night coming on, we lay our wornout selves down to sleep, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 481 

and a glorious sleep it was, such as we had not had in several 
nights. Next morning we were up early, ate a scanty break- 
fast, and continued to move up the river, thinking perhaps we 
might find some way of escap;. On reaching a hill we found 
the enemy had gotton ahead of us, and that we must soon be 
made prisoners We then collected around the Color-Bearer, 
and determined to conceal the colors of the Fourteenth South 
Carolina Regiment. Then I, assisted by two others, raised a 
large, flat rock, under which our Color-Bearer placed the colors 
of the Fourteenth Regiment. 

Captain W. L- Delph, now of Augu.sta, Ga., recently in- 
formed me that a gentleman by the name of Bunch, from the 
lower part of this State, was sent back to Virginia after the 
colors of the First South Carolina Regiment, which were 
placed with the colors of the Fourteenth South Carolina Regi- 
ment, under the same rock, and that Bunch also got the 
colors of the Fourteenth Regiment. If so, where are they? 
Any information respecting them will be thankfully received. 

RUFUS HARMING, 

Clark's Hill, S. C. 

ATTENTION, COMPANY K, FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, 
SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. 

Clark, S. C, June 6th, 1S96. 
Editor Edgefield Chronicle: 

De.\R Sir: The casualties of my company vrere published 
when you were editor of the Adverti-ser, A. Simkins, D. R. 
Durisoe, and E. Keese, proprietors. I would like to say some- 
thing about my dear old captain's gallantry on this bloody oc- 
casion, but incompetency will not allow me. 

The first day of July this year falls on Wednesday, the 
same day of the week and the month on which was fought the 
bloody battle of Gettysburg, the most eventful and disastrous 
battle of the war. I have in my scrap book a clipping from 
the Edgefield Advertiser of 1863, giving the casualties of our 
company in that battle. I copy the list of killed and wounded. 
Ponder over the list, dear old survivors and comrades, and re- 
member the dear boys who fell on this memorable day. 

"Killed. — Sergeant E. R. Mobley, G. W. Free, James Ouzts, 
Jesse Parkman, Wilkerson Rice, M. W. Stevens. 



482 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

"Wounded. — lyieutenant S. Cogburn, foot severe; Sergeant 
J. C. Buzzard, arm severe; Corporal J. N. Werts, shoulder 
slight; Corporal W. D. Gradick, thigh severe; W. H. Ouzts, 
head slight; privates A. B. Adams, back severe; W. H. W. 
Adams, leg severe; R. D. Amaker, head slight; John L. Doby, 
thigh severe; Joshua Edwards, thigh slight; John Faulkner, 
head and shoulder severe; T. B. Harvey, leg slight; Whit 
Harvley, neck severe; James Harling, thigh severe; Rufus 
Harling, face severe; Allen King, left arm amputated; B. W. 
Mason, thigh severe; Martin Ouzts, thigh severe; Franklin 
Ouzts, leg slight; George Ouzts, head mortally; Larkin Rice, 
side slight; B. M. Timmerman, hand slight; Edward Timmer- 
man, face severe; G. M. Timmerman, head slight; Geo. Tay- 
lor, shocked with shell; James Taylor, back slight; R. S. 
Towles, leg severe; A. C. Werts, arm slight. 

"Missing. — Marion Ouzts and J. T. Timmerman. 

"Killed, 6; wounded, 29; mi.ssing, 2; total, 37. 

"[Signed.] J. H. AIvLEN, 

"Eieutenant Commanding Company K." 

This was the most disastrous battle of the w^ar to our com- 
pany. Its casualties on that da}^ were equal to all the rest 
from that time to the close of the war. As well as ni}^ memory 
serves me, we went into the battle with 43 mew. Thirtj'-seven 
were killed and wounded, onl}^ six being able to march back 
to old Virginia. Well do I remember our orders from the 
brave Quer}*, "Hold your fire men and close in on the 
enemy." 

RUFUS HARLING, 
Company K, Fourteenth South Carolina Volunteers. 

HISTORY OF THE COMPANY. 

For the following brief sk<.tch of the history of Company 
"K," Fourteenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, I am 
indebted to the graphic pen of Mr. Rufus Flarling, who was a 
member of the company: 

Company K was organized in 1S61, under command of the 
following officers: D. C. Tompkins, Captain; O. W. Allen, 
First Lieutenant; W. L- Stevens, Second Lieutenant; Jos. H. 
Allen, Third Lieutenant. * 

This compan}^ was organized from that portion of Edgefield 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 483 

County commonly known as the "Dutch Settlement," situ- 
ated on old Sleepy Creek, whose fore-parents were from the 
"Old Country"— there were no aristocrats among them. They 
owned but few slaves, but were sturdy 5'eomen, and did their 
own work. Always had plenty of "hog and hominy" at 
home, as the result of their own labor. Their time for school- 
ing was from Januarj' till planting time; and from laying by 
till gathering time. Their chief amusements were going to 
corn-shuckings, log-rollings, and quiltings; but the happiest 
time for them was when on Christmas eve, vv^ith their ' 'little 
brown jug," they went serenading, and "ate, drank, and were 
merry," till Christmas was over. Early in 1861 some of them 
began to go to Edgefield Court House, and there they heard 
some of the fiery speeches about the "infernal Yankees" 
trying to rob us of our rights. They saw other men called 
"Minute Men" wearing a badge, commonly known as a cock- 
ade. Some of them got a badge and wore it home, it be- 
ing looked upon by many v,'ith amazement, as being some- 
thing very honorable to wear the red cockade. Soon there- 
after this company was formed and organized. Being sup- 
plied with the general parapharnalia which go to make up a 
soldier's outfit, they were bid by their dear mothers and 
wives to go to the front and to do their duty for their 
country. 

Soon letters came from the dear boys from the Camp of In- 
struction at Pole Cat. Next came letters from Pocotaligo, 
saying "we are expecting a fight soon," and, as was expected, 
the Yankees landed and a fight occurred, in which this com- 
pany took part. After the battle was over two privates of 
this company went out on the battle field and captured a 
prisoner, the first captured in South Carolina. These two 
privates, Lemuel Harling and Russell Rhodes, went through 
the war and are still living, August, 1892. Really some of 
these men thought the war was about over, as they had 
whipped the Yankees; but they soon learned that they had 
turned up in Virginia and that they must go there. 

I, being at that time a fifteen-year-old boy, at home, trying 
to help my father make bread and meat for these men, will 
leave the history of Company "K" blank up to April 12th, 
i86rv 



484 



HISTORY or EDGEFIELD. 



During all this time I was miserable for fear the war would 
terminate before I would take a hand in the struggle. I 
could hear of the battles of Manassas and around Richmond, 
all resulting in victories for the Confederates. I then would 
have been glad to have heard of a defeat, because I thought it 
would prolong the struggle and give me an opportunity to 
take a hand. After awhile the welcome news came that Cap- 
tain Stevens and L,ieutenant Allen were at home on furlough 
and Vv'ould return to the arni}^ early in 1863. Being anxious 
to return with them I feared my father would not let me go, 
as he had already sent four sons to the front. Besides, being 
only seventeen years of age, which was unfavorable to me. 

On Sunday, the 12th of April, 1863, father and myself went 
to church at Little Steven's Creek. There we met Captain 
VV. L- Stevens and Lieutenant Jim Allen, who informed us 
that they would leave next morning for Virginia. After a 
short conversation father took Lieutenant Allen aside, and I 
heard him say: "Jini, take care of my boy," and at the same 
lime wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. Lieutenant Allen 
said: "Have your boy to meet us at Chappells to-morrow 
morning." We returned home and heartily ate dinner. 
Mother soon got my bundle ready, which consisted of two 
suits of clothes, needles, and darning thread, and plenty of 
victuals, well cooked, to last me a week. About 3 o'clock 
father had two horses saddled and at the gate, one for me and 
one for the servant, who was to take me to the neighborhood 
of Ninety-Six, so as to be convenient to take the train next 
morning for Columbia. I did but little sleeping for fear the 
train would leave me; but I was there in good time, and as 
soon as the train rolled up I got aboard for the first time, still 
holding to my bundle. As the train moved off I looked to see 
the last of the negro and the horses. Then for the first time 
tears came to my e3'es, because it first dawned upon me that I 
was in reality leaving home and all that was dear to me, per- 
haps never more to return. When we reached Chappells, 
Captain Stevens and Lieutenant Allen boarded the train. I 
then felt perfectly safe. It was but a few hours run from 
there to Columbia, the Capital of the State, which I had never 
before seen. We spent the night there; next morning took 
the train for Charlotte, N. C. ; changed cars there for Raleigh; 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 485 

then Weldon; there to Petersburg, Virginia; from there to 
Richmond, where we spent the night. Next da}- boarded the 
train for Guinea vStation, which ended our journey on the 
train. We then set out to find the Fourteenth South CaroHna 
Regiment, which was camped at a place called Camp Gregg. 
It took its name from the brave General Gregg, who wa.s 
killed at Fredericksburg in 1862. He was Brigadier-General 
and was commanding the First, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, 
and Fourteenth South Carolina Regiments. After three miles' 
walk we found our Company "K" in high spirits, flushed 
with the victory gained at Fredericksburg. This was Apri] 
1 8th, 1863, that I spent my first night in camp. Next day my 
name was enrolled as a member of Company "K," and with 
the regiment I went to do picket duty on the Rappahannock. 
Remained on picket twenty-four hours — was then relieved and 
\ve returned to camp. We did not remain there three daN's, for 
about the 25th of April, early in the morning, the sullen 
booming of cannon in the direction of Fredericksburg was a 
signal that the enemy were crossing the river. 

Soon everything was astir. Orders had been i.ssued to be 
ready with three days' rations to move at a moment's notice. 
Soon the long roll began to beat, and the hurried orders were 
to "fall in." We moved in the direction of Fredericksburg, 
and .soon learned that Joe Hooker had cro.ssed the river in 
heavy force. Before night .set in we were in line of battle 
fronting the enemy, awaiting their advance. We remained 
fronting them for two days without any fighting, save a few 
artillery shots exchanged at long range. Early in the morn- 
ing about the last of April orders came to move again. We 
learned the enemy had made a feint at Fredericksburg and had 
crossed the river about twelve miles higher up. We found 
them strongly fortified at a place called Chancellorsville. We 
bivouacked in front of them the first night, and about 9 
o'clock next morning, being a part of General Jackson's com- 
mand, we moved off as though we were on the retreat, but be- 
fore sunset we found ourselves completely in rear of the 
enemy, whipping them most desperately and putting them in 
wild confusion. Night coming on, and General Jackson being 
mortally wounded, put a stop to the career of his victoriou;, 
troops until the next morning. 



486 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

At daylight we advanced ag-ain under command of J. E. B. 
Stuart, who was singing, "Old Joe Hooker, get out of the 
Wilderness!" and the boys shouting: "Remember Jackson!" 
It seemed that every man bent forward and did his whole 
dut}'. The enemy was moved from their strong breastworks 
into the tangled thickets of the wilderness, and such destruc- 
tion I hope never to see again. Men fell almost in heaps. 
The woods being dry, caught fire from the bursting of shells, 
and I saw many men with every remnant of clothing burnt off, 
presenting the most sickening appearance imaginable — this be- 
ing a memorable picture of the first Sabbath in May, 1863. 

Night coming on, the enenn- having been whipped, both 
seemed content to remain quiet — but there was not much sleep 
for fear of a surprise. The next day it began to rain and con- 
tinued to do so all da3^ No regular engagement took place,— 
onl}^ sharp picket firing. By the next morning the enemy had 
recrossed the river, leaving many thousands of their dead in 
the hands of the victorious Confederates. We all returned to 
Camp Gregg, leaving many of our brave iDoys and messmates 
sleeping their last sleep. We remained in camp perhaps a 
month unmolested. Durin.;- this time Company "K" was get- 
ting in fresh troops from the hospital and other sources, until 
we about regained our loss at Chancellorsville. 

About the first of June the booming of cannon was again 
heard in the direction of Fredericksburg. Couriers again 
began to dart up to our Field Officers' tent with dispatches. 
Many men began to pack up to move, even without further 
orders. Soon the long roll beat again and we took up the 
march towards Fredericksburg. W^e were now leaving Camp 
Gregg never more to return to it. 

Soon we found ourselves occupying the same ground as for- 
merly fronting the eneni}" at Fredericksburg. We remained 
there several da5's. The enemy were at bay and did not ad- 
vance. It seemed that Gen. Lee got restless for a fight and 
moved his arni}^ around the right wing of Hooker's, and of 
course the enemy withdrew from Fredericksburg. We moved 
on for several days without coming in contact with them. We 
found ourselves on the borders of the Potomac River, and it 
was then even known by the privates that another great battle 
would be fought north of the Potomac. The whole army 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 487 

crossed over, the bands playing: "Marjdand, i\-\y Maryland!" 
The troops were in the highest spirits — flushed by the victory 
they had won at Chancellorsville. Shouting and yelling almost 
continually, they did not seem to think of defeat. 

We still moved north — had not as yet seen the foe. We 
then found we had marched througli Maryland and were in 
Pennsylvania. We rested for a day or so and then moved 
again. Across the Blue Ridge Mountains, and then we biv- 
ouacked in the Cumberland Valley. And sad, sad indeed that 
it was the last before the last sleep of so many of our brave 
boys. 

Early in the morning of July ist we were ordered to ' 'fall in, " 
and we hastily moved in the direction of Gettysburg. It was 
not long before we heard an occasional roar of the cannon, and 
it then became knov.'n that our advance lines had at last found 
the eneni}', and that we, too, would soon be engaged in battle. 
As we came nearer the more constant and rapid could the firing 
be heard. About 10 o'clock we came in sight of the eneni}-. 
Without halting we filed out of the road to the right and 
formed line of battle in the edge of the roads. There we saw 
the wounded who had been engaged with the enemy returning 
— some stating they had been cut up badly and a great many 
had been captured. Col. Perrin commanded McGowan's 
brigade, to which the Fourteenth South Carolina belonged. 
Col. J. M, Brown commanding the Regiment, ordered the 
Regiment to lie dov/n until other Regiments could form on our 
left. We could see the enemy just in the edgQ of the town 
behind a strong rock fence waiting for us to advance. The 
ground over which we had to advance was open— nothing to 
.shield us from the shot of the enemy. At the word "Atten- 
tion" we formed in open field, in plaiii view of the enemy. 
The orders were, "hold your fire men, and close in with the 
enemy," We advanced in splendid order and when in 200 
yards of the enemy they opened a terrific fire on us with both 
artillery and musketry, sending the missiles of death into our 
faces and plowing great gaps through our ranks. Still we 
obeyed orders to hold our fire. W-e advanced— filling up the 
space made by our fallen, and when we had gotten within 
about fifty yards where the enemy were posted, our lines wav- 
ered, caused by filling up the spaces, and it now seemed that 



488 HISTORY OF EDGKFIRLD. 

our thin lines were destined to almost complete annihilation. 
We were fired upon from right, left, and centre, and to retreat 
would have been complete destruction. Just at this time Col. 
Perrin, seeing our situation, came charging through our lines 
and at a time when it seemed that no living being could escape 
the thick flj'ing missiles of death. But the brave Colonel 
dashed along our thin lines, waving and pointing his sword at 
the enemy. The men redoubled their resolutions and made a 
dash lor and captured the rock fence. The enemy fled in dis- 
order. Then came our time for sending the death-dealing 
shots into their broken ranks, — equally as the\' had of pouring 
it into our unfortunate faces as we had advanced. 

Soon the town of Gett3\sburg was in our possession. Mc- 
Gov.-an's brigade, under the command of the brave Perrin, had 
won the day. 1 ut at a great sacrifice. At least one-half his 
connnani had been killed or v^-ounded and was compelled to 
halt. Had another as equally good brigade then come up to 
follow the pursuit of the flying enem)', the three da5's battle at 
Gettysburg would have ended in a complete victory- to the 
Confederates. 

Just here let me say in honor to the brave Colonel Perrin, 
that Ills dashing through our lines at its most critical period, 
was the most daring and gallant act I have ever seen executed. 
And to him your humble writer gives credit for the victory 
won on the first day of July at Gettysburg. He was compli- 
mented by Gen. Lee and on the field made Brigadier-General. 

I will now close my chapter and give the record of Compan^r 
"K" from Dutch settlement, which belonged to the Fourteenth 
South Carolina Regiment. It was then commanded by Capt. 
J. H. Allen, and, as well as I remember, the strength of his com- 
pany at Gettysburg was 43; and I am in possession of the list 
of casualties sent bj' him to the Edgefield Advertiser. It read 
thus: killed, 6; wounded, 29; missing, 2; total, 37 — leaving 
only6 to march back in ranks to Virginia. Besides the 6 killed, 
I remember 3, at least, died of their wounds at the Field Hos- 
pital in less than 26 hours. 

The above casualties will show something of the severity of 
the battle of Gettysburg. But this little remnant of Company 
"K" safely retreated with the Army of Virginia, and finally 
winter-quartered in 1863, at Orange Court House, on the banks 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

of the Rapidan; and had comparative!}' a good long rest. And 
then we had preaching and prayer-meetings in camp. 

During the winter our company recruited to almost its former 
strength, and we afterwards took part in all the important 
battles under Gen. L,ee. There were the Battle of the Wilder- 
ness, Battle of the Horseshoe or Spottsylvania C. H., Noel's 
Station, Second Cold Harbor, Ridley's Shops, Deep Bottom, 
New Market Heights, around Petersburg, Jones' House, 
Reams' Station, Hatcher's Run, and on the South vSide Rail- 
road at Trevillian Station. But in all these close regular en- 
gagements Company "K's" losses did not exceed that of the 
battle of Gettysburg. 

The small remnant of this company surrendered at Appo- 
mattox under command of Captain W. S. Allen. Then, in their 
well-worn old uniforms, came to their homes on Sleepy Creek 
without a penny with which to begin the battle of life. But 
they had not forgotten their former occupations, and any one 
visiting them now would not find men of fine dress, but sit 
down to dine with them you would be filled with home-raised 
ham and plenty of other good things to make any one content 
and happy. 

Dear reader, the writer of this is quietly and comfortably at 
home, with his wife and little boys, striving to serve the Master 
in remembrance of His goodness to me, and praying that I may 
meet mv dear unfortunate comrades gone before. 

R. H. 

MRS. LUCINDA HORNE. 

The History of Edgefield cannot be complete without some 
notice of Mrs. Luciuda Home, and I feel that I could never 
forgive myself were I to send this book into the world without 
her name in it. 

In 1861 Cornelius Home and his wife Lucinda were living 
in Edgefield County near Kirksey's. They had only one child, 
William F. Home, who was grown up. Husband and son 
both enlisted in Company "K," Fourteenth South Carolina 
Volunteers, and as they had no home or other children, and 
her whole life being wrapped up in the lives of her husband 
and son, she also volunteered and went to the front with them. 
She remained with them until the close of the war, undergoing 



490 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

all the hardships incident to a soldier's life. She was loved 
and respected by every member of McGowan's Brigade. She 
was with her husband and son in all of General Jackson's hard 
marches always on hand when the regiment went into camp 
and prepared their scanty meals. When in winterquarters she 
took in washing besides her own, thus making some money, 
which added to their supplies. Her husband and son wore 
cleaner clothes and which were nicely patched by her industry 
through her love for them. Always just before a battle she 
would find out where the field hospital would be and she was 
always there to minister to the wounded and dying. "I 
remember," writes Mr. R.ufus Harling to me, "while we were 
in line of battle near Petersburg in September, 1864, we had a 
fight at a place called Jones' Farm, and in this battle her son 
William was wounded, and then the kind hearted mother was 
ready to wait on her only son. She went with him to the hos- 
pital in Richmond and nursed him so as to be able to return 
home with him. Her son lived, I think, about 12 years after 
the war and then died of the woinid received at the battle of 
Jones' Farm. After the son's death she travelled with her 
husband in a small covered wagon, peddling until just before 
her death, which was early in March, 1896. 

"Mrs. Home met with a reunion of the old Fourteenth 
Regiment at Greenwood, S. C, in August, 1S91, and she was 
unanimously elected an honorary member of the same (the 
Veterans Association) and was carried to dinner by our old 
surviving Colonel J. N. Brown. I have often thought that 
had it not been for this good woman I might have been num- 
bered with the many whose bones have been left in Virginia, 
as she gave me some good soup when I was sick, which seemed 
to revive me after a spell of sickness." 

In their journeys through the country this loving and 
devoted couple, whom only death could part, sometimes ran 
great risks from high water. On one occasion they undertook 
to cross Half Waj^ Swamp Creek when the water was too deep 
and they came very near drowming. Providentially they es- 
caped with their lives and but little damage to their goods. 

This couple, whose love and devotion to eachother no words 
can express, were scarcely ever apart from the beginning of 
the war until the death of Mrs. Home. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 49 1 

"She was buried at Chestnut Hill beside the son she followed 
so faithfullj- throughout the war. She was eighty-two 3'ears 
old, and has left her husband behind to mourn her loss." 

After the w^ar Mr. and Mrs. Home and their son were living 
happily together when the son was so unfortunate as to be 
thrown by a mule he was riding, and the fall so injured his 
wound as to cause his death. The son had married some time 
before his death. 

I feel that this brief record has not done justice to this heroic 
woman's career, but I have not the material to write more, and 
I could not do less. 

COMPANY I. TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Compan}' "I," Twenty-fourth Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers. I am indebted to Rev. E. Capers, Colo- 
nel commanding Twenty-fourth R.egiment, for kindly copying 
and sending me this roll: 

A. J. Hammond, Captain; L. B. Weber, First Lieutenant; 
Jas. M. Lanham, Second Lieutenant; R. S. Key, Third Lieu- 
tenant; Thos. J. Adams, Orderly; J. H. Adams, Second 
vSergeant; B. U. Lanham, Third Sergeant; T. H. Curry, Fifth 
Sergeant; S. B. Lanham, First Corporal; J. H. Yeldell, Second 
Corporal; T. L. Tucker, Third Corporal; J. S. Reynolds, 
Fourth Corporal. 

PRIVATE.S. 

M. Medlock, J. W. Carpenter, J. M. Lanham, T. P. Ander- 
son, John A. Mays, A. Sharpton, Jr., J. Kimbrell, Ezra Moore, 
Samuel Cook, John Bryant, H. A. Drasing, George R. Mor- 
gan, Wm. Grisham, J. Grishara, Jno. ISIiles, G. W. King, 
J. M. Riley, Jno. Shippe, John Mallet, L. H. Keitt, S. W. 
Sullivan, E. Reese, S. J. W. Clarke, D. Y. Clarke, W. L. 
Coleman, James F. Burton, J. E. Muse, Wm. Ouarles, Robert 
Breckenridge, Jas. Larke, Jas. Padgett, John Leigh, Jno. 
Mays, James Howard, Wm. Harden, F. M. Coleman, W. P. 
Delph, R. A. Adams, W. E. Rodgers, Wm. Bryant, Wm. 
Clarke, S. Clarke, Jere. Cartledge, Samuel Cartledge, W. L- 
Miles, R. H. W^illiams, Jno. Hardy, J. Moore, Nicholas Bodie, 
Jno. Duncan, J. W. Buff, George Allen, Jno. Permenter, 
Benj. Burton, Charlie Burton, R. Murrall, Adam E. Carpen- 
ter. Total, 69. 



492 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

NoTK: — This is a copy of the original muster roll on file in 
the office of the Adjutant General. E. C 

COMPANY K, TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 

Roll of Company "K," Twenty-fourth Regiment, vSouth 
Carolina Volunteers, prepared by L,ieutenant R. A. Cochran, 
commanding company at surrender at Greensboro, N. C, 
1S65: 

S. vS. Tomkins, Captain; resigned 18 32. T. C. Morgan, 
Captain; promoted to Ivieutenant Colonel; severely wounded at 
Calhoun and Decatur; surrendered at Greensboro. Jas. A. 
Dozier, First Lieutenant; resigned 1S62. F. W. Andrews, 
Second Lieutenant; severely wounded at Nashville; promoted 
to First Lieutenant. G. W. Talbert, Second Lieutenant; re- 
signed 1863. J. E. Morgan, Second Lieutenant; killed at 
Cbickamauga while attempting to rally a Georgia regiment. 
T. M. Seigler, Second Lieutenant; surrendered at Greensboro; 
promoted to First Lieutenant. R. M. Winn, Second Lieuten- 
ant; killed in battl;: at Peach Tree Creek. R. A. Cochran, 
Second Lieutenant; in command of Compan^^ K at surrender; 
twice wounded; promoted to First Lieutenant. G. McWeaver, 
First Sergeant; lost a leg at Peach Tree Creek. J. A. Rc}-- 
nolds, First Sergeant; surrendered at Greensboro. G. W. 
Burton, Sergeant; severel}' wounded at Secessionville; P. M. 
Williams, Sergeant; transferred to Gregg's Cavalry. W. E. 
Hobbs, Sergeant; killed at Atlanta 1S64. J. E. Holmes, Ser- 
geant; surrendered at Greensboro. G. W. Andrews, Sergeant; 
severely wounded at Decatur; surrendered at Greensboro. 
L. H. Kemp, Corporal; surrendered at Greensboro. P. H. 
Strom, Corporal; surrendered at Greensboro. H. S. Seigler, 
Corporal; killed at Jonesborough, Ga. W. W. INIcDowell, 
Corporal; wounded at Franklin. 

PRIVATES. 

T. J. Adams; E. Bussey. killed at Secessionville 1862; 
D. W. Christian; Tom Collins, died in hospital 1S63; J. J. 
Dorn, surrendered at Greensboro; John Dorn, died in hospital 
August 7th, 1S63; W. P. Dorn, died in hospital October 
15th, 1863; George Dorn, killed at Jonesborough; James Dorn, 
surrendered at Greensboro; J. R. EHenberger, surrendered at 
Greensboro; R. P. Geoman, surrendered at Greensboro; R. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 493 

Glaze, died in hospital August 4th, 1863; Wm. Glaze, severely 
wounded at Decatur, Ga. ; D. J. Gilchrist; William Harrison, 
died 1S63; E. M. Holmes, wounded at Franklin, Tenn.; Tom 
Holiday, died in camp at Dalton, Ga.; William Hollings- 
worth; P. Hamilton, died in hospital 1863; E. Harling, honor- 
ably discharged; James Horn, severely wounded at Secession- 
ville; Rit Horn, deserted at Dalton, Ga.; Wm. Kidd, deserted 
in route to Chickamauga; Jobe Martin, surrendered at Jones- 
boro; Whitfield IMartin, killed at Peach Tiee Creek; Eafayette 
Martin, died in hospital December 12th, 1S63; W. T. Mathis, 
Joseph Morris; Dave Morgan, died in camp at Dalton January 
9th, 1864; T. W. Morgan, severeU^ wounded at Franklin, 
Tenn.; Pick New; Ben New, deserted 1863; Ned Nev.', died 
1862; J. T. Ouzts, surrendered at Greensboro; S. W. Ouzts, 
died May 30th, 1863, from w'ounds received in battle at Cal- 
houn, Ga. ; T. J. Ouzts; Peter Ouzts, surrenderrd at Greensboro; 
Isaac Ouzts, surrendered at Greensboro; Ab Ouzts, died in 
hospital 1862; Marion Ouzts, honorably discharged 1862; John 
Pardue, deserted at Dalton, Ga., 1864; D. Pardue, died in hos- 
pital; Abrara Price; E- Parkman, surrendered at Greensboro; 
W. H. Rush; W. T. Robert.son, surrendered at Green.sboro; 
E. H. Reynolds; Alex Reynolds, honorably discharged 1864; 
A. W. Reel, surrendered at Greensboro; John Shaffer, died in 
hospital 1863; W. T. Stillman, died May 20th, 1863, from 
wounds received at Calhoun, Ga.; G. H. Seigler, severely 
v.-ounded at Chickamauga; S. B. vStrom, died at home while on 
furlough; J. P. Strom, wounded at Franklin, surrendered at 
Greensboro; W. S. Strom, killed at Franklin, Tenn.; Hag. 
Strom; G. W. Strom, surrendered at Greensboro; J. E. Strom, 
surrendered at Greensboro; W. H. Strom, T. Strom; George 
Timmerman, killed at Jonesboro; F. A. Timmerman, died in 
hospital January 20th. 1S64; Wm. Timmerman, surrendered at 
Greensboro; G. H. Timmerman, died in hospital November 
8th, 1863; Dave Timmerman; S. Thomas, severely wounded 
near Kenesaw Mountain; John Taylor, surrendered at Greens- 
boro; G. W. Thurmond, lost his right arm and two fingers of 
left hand at Franklin, Tenn.; John Williams, killed at Atlanta; 
William White, killed at Chickamauga; W. A. Winn, died in 
hospital May nth, 1S64; E. C. Winn, severely wounded at 
Decatur, Ga.; Henry Timmerman, killed at Chickamauga. 



494 HISTORY OF edgefikld. 

Commissioned officers, 9; non-commissioned officers, 11; pri- 
vates, 73; total rank and file, 93. Killed in battle, 11; died of 
wounds, 2; died in hospital, 12; died at home on furlough, i; 
died in camp, 2; total deaths, 28. Wounded not mortal, 14; 
deserted, 4. 

Deaths and wounded about the average. Desertions un- 
usually great. 
COMPANY F, TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. 

Roll of Compau}^ "F," Twenty-seventh Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers — Infantry. I find the following names 
from Edgefield in this regiment, which I give with casualties: 

Jacob Staubs, age 31, Third Sergeant; killed in battle at 
Cold Harbor June 6th, 1864. Jacob Boozer, age 21, Fourth 
Sergeant; died of disease at Danville September 5th, 1864; 
named in official reports for gallantry. W. L,. Stone, age 40,. 
First Corporal, died of disease at home July 4th, 1S63. T. G. 
Attaway, age 23, Third Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

William Page, age 19, (from Company "B"); J. A. Atta- 
way, age 19, wounded at Pocotaligo and died of his wound at 
home December 21st, 1862; T. J. Bladon, age 35; J. W. D. 
Bowen, age 25, wounded at Petersburg; J. T. Bryant, age 25; 
C. W. Burder, age 17; Wesley Cockerill, age 24; George De- 
Loach, age 24, captured Weldon R. R. ; Caleb DeLoach, age 
20; Allen Delyoach, age 29; William DelyOach, age 23, killed 
in battle Weldon R. R. August 21st, 1864; Milledge DeLoach, 
age 18; John Dean, age 37, transferred to Second Artillcy; 
W. T. Fulmer, age 20; J. H. Goodman, age 37, wounded at 
Drewry's Bluff; H. W. Griffith, age 35; P. B. McDaniel, age 
37, killed in battle at Pocotaligo October 22nd, 1862; B. L- 
Murrell, age 19; D. Proctor, age 20; Ezekiel Rutland, age 16, 
transferred to Second Artillery; James Smith, age 25; George 
W. Seay, age 25, wounded in the trenches at Richmond June, 
1864, and died at Richmond June 30th, 1864; G. W. Turner, 
age 21, transferred; J. P. Weaver, age 16, killed in battle at 
Drewry's Bluff May i6th, 1864; W. S. Wightman, age 17. 
Total — 28 in Company F and i in Company B. 

Company F was commanded b}^ Captain Joseph Blythe All- 
ston and Company B l-'y Captain Thomas Y. Simons. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 495 

On the roll of Company "G," T\vent3'-seventh Regiment, in 
the Adjutant General's office I find the following written en- 
dorsement: 

"N. B. — Company G, Twenty-seventh Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers, was Compan}^ C, Battalion South Caro- 
lina Volunteers, commanded by Major Joseph Abney. The 
Charleston Battalion, South Carolina Volunteers, and Abney's 
Battalion, South Carolina Volunteers, were united in 1863, 
and formed the Twenty-Seventh Regiment, South Carolina 
Volunteers." 

Henry Buist was Captain of Companj' "G," which was 
made up of men from different parts of the State, Laurens, 
Spartanburg, Union, Orangeburg, Charleston, &c., but none 
from Edgefield. 



496 • HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

XXXIX. 

COMPANY E, SEVENTH REGIMENT CAVALRY. 

j. Wash \Yiniams, Captain; W. P. Burkhalter, age 21, died 
of disease at home 1864; H. M. Burkhalter, age 19; A. J. 
Coleman, age 30; A. P. Coleman, age 26, wounded at Deep 
Bottom; ly. E. Ferguson, age 26; J. R. Fox, age 19, died of 
disease at home; W. T. Golding, age 24, wounded near Barn- 
ville, scouting; W. S. Golding, age 22; F. G. Hollowa)^ age 
27; B. F. Payne, age 26, dead; J. W. Payne, age 21; W. B. 
Pulle}^ age 22, died since the war; D. Proctor, age 21, killed 
at Cold Harbor May 31st, 1864; J. M. Proctor, aee 23; B. G. 
Smith, age 23; W. S. Smith, age 28; G. S. Smith, age 21, died 
since the war; Fred Scurry, age 30, died since the war. 

The following were in Company "C," Holcombe lyCgion, 
commanded by Captain J. R. Spearman, which company was 
merged in Company "E," Seventh Cavalry: 

George P. Abney, died at Adams' Run of measles; Nichols 
Burkhalter, Harr}- Coleman, Adolphus Gregor3% Kit Gregory, 
B. F. Gregor}', Augustus Mason, R. W. Paj-ne, Garlen Smith, 
Jacob Smith. 

COMPANY I, SECOND CAVALRY. 

Roll of Company "I," Second Cavalry, prepared by Captain 
T. H. Clark, Trenton, Edgefield County, S. C: 

Names only of those men from Edgefield are here given, ex- 
cept officers: 

M, C. Butler, Captain; promoted Colonel August, i86r, 
afterwards Brigadier-General. J.J. Bunch, Captain; left after 
reorganization April, 1S62. T. H. Clark, Captain; wounded 
at Culpepper, Va.; served through war. Joseph Crafton, 
First Eieutenant; left after reorganization April, 1862. P. M. 
Butler, First Lieutenant; wounded at Culpepper; served 
through war. M. A. Markert, Second Eieutenant; served 
through the war. James M. Eanham, Second Lieutenant from 
June, i86r, to January, 1S62. R. G. Fleming, Second Lieu- 
tenant, Richland, from January to April, 1862, John R. Tol- 
bert, Second Lieutenant, Abbeville; wounded at Culpepper, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



497 



Va. ; served from April, 1862, to surrender. J. Mniiroe Wise, 
First Sergeant from August, 1861, to surrender. John D. 
Reill)', Second Sergeant, Augusta, Ga., dead. Benj. F. Ouzts, 
Third Sergeant. Samuel D. Adams, Fourth Sergeant: dead. 
J. Marion Shirer, Fourth Sergeant, St. Matthew's; Regi- 
mental Color- Bearer. Thos. I^. Butler, Third Sergeant; killed 
at Gett3'sburg. Andrew Anderson, Fourth Sergeant; dis- 
charged; furnished substitute. C. W. Winn, Fourth Sergeant; 
wounded at Baconhall, Va. F. P. Walker, Corporal. Au- 
gustus W. Glover, Corporal. T. N. Talbert, Corporal, Abbe- 
ville. J. J. Eidson, Corporal. M. H. Minis, Corporal. Jabez 
Ryan, Corporal; died at Manassas of disease. J. N. Griffin, 
Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

W, J. Adams, George B. Addison; John F. Bates, died at 
Green Pond, S. C. — disease — detailed as Ordinance Sergeant; 
Andrew Bates, killed at John's Island, S.C, July 5th, 1863; 
J. Wesley Barr, discharged 1862, (The originator of Barr's 
legion); D. C. Bullock, W. N. Burnett, Harrison Butler; O. N. 
Butler, transferred to M. C. Butler's staff, dead; Sampson 
Butler, died at Martinsburg, Va., disease; Seth G. Butler, G. B. 
Blocker; Moses Bruce, killed in battle at John's Island, S. C, 
July 5th, 1864; James P. Bryan; Wm. H. Bolton, killed at 
John's Island in battle; C. A. Cheatham, wounded at Catawba 
River, dead; Wm. H. Cogburn; Randall Croft, transferred 
1862 to Sixth Regiment of Cavalry, dead; J. F. Cole, trans- 
ferred to Quarter Master's department, dead; John A. Craw- 
ford, dead; R. F. Coleman; Geo. M. Crafton, dead; Robt. J. 
Crafton; Thomas M. Crafton, killed at John's Island, 5th 
July, 1864, in battle; Reuben P. DeLoach, Elijah Dorn, John 
B. Etheredge, Isaac Edwards; Joab Edwards, transferred 1863: 
Evans, Pennsylvania, enrolled on the march to Gettys- 
burg and lost; James H. Eidson; Avery Franklin, transferred; 
E. B. Forrest, James M. Forrest, J. N. Fowler; N. L, Griffin, 
died of wounds at Poheek Church, Va.; F. B. Griffin; John 
Goode, died of wounds at John's Island; T. W. Glover, died 
of disease at Baconhall, Va.; M. O. Glover, dead; C. B. Glo- 
ver, transferred; P. B, Hanson, died at home; A. G. Hackett; 
Douglas Holloway, died of disease at home; Eaurence Harris; 



498 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Wade Hampton, Jr., promoted on General J. E. Johnston's 
Staff, dead; Preston T. Hampton, promoted on General Wade 
Hampton's Staff and killed; J. P. Hamilton, Greene Hamilton, 
Lewis E. Holmes, W. A. Hamlee, E. N. Henderson, T. J. 
Hibler, M. B. Johnson, John D. Johnson, M. W. Johnson, 
Jesse Jay; D. P. Lagrone, commissioned assistant Surgeon; 
John W. Lagrone, dead; Walter W. Lanham, John S. Eyon; 
Joshua McKie, discharged in i86r; John W. Mays, killed in 
battle at John's Island, July 5th, 1864; E- A. Mims, Abney 
Mims, R. F. Matthews, E. G. Morgan, D, F. McEwen, H. E. 
Mealing; James P. Moss, died of wounds received at Malvern 
Hill; E. V. Mobley; J. L. Nicholson, discharged; Serene 
Parkman, James G. Prim, James W. Quarles, James H. Ross, 
Samuel E- Roper, Hugh H. Scott; George W. Talbert, dead; 
James H. Taylor, killed in battle at John's Island; Mack 
Toney, N. D. Timmerman; T. W. Vaughan, died at home, 
sickness; M. B. Ward, transferred, dead; F. R. Warren. 
Total from Edgefield rank and file, 103; killed in battle — all 
at John's Island, 7; died of wounds, 3; died of disease, 7; 
total, 17. 

Total loss from Edgefield only one-sixth. 

COMPANY K, SECOND REGIMENT ARTILLERY. 

Roil of Company "K," Second Regiment Artillery, Lamar's, 
as furnished me by Captain P. B. W^aters, January 24th, 
1893, written bj' him from memory: 

H. C. Culbreath, Captain, resigned; Philemon B. \Vaters, 
Captain, served through war; J. Crawford Perry, Lieutenant, 
resigned; Edward H. Addy, Lieutenant; J. A. Pitts, Lieuten- 
ant; Felix Lake, Lieutenant; R. M. Scurry, Lieutenant, re- 
signed; Wilson Abney, Sergeant; Joel R. Abney, Sergeant; 
William Webb, Sergeant; J. H. Williams, Sergeant; Joseph 
Watkins, Orderly Sergeant; William A. Culbreath, Sergeant; 
George Berr3^ Corporal, wounded; George W. Mack, Corpo- 
ral; Joseph Ridlehoover, Corporal; Malachi M. Pitts, Assistant 
Surgeon; W. C. Barber, Sergeant Major; William Abney, 
Ordinance Sergeant. 

PRIVATES. 

James Adams; William Arander, wounded; Lewis Arander, 
transferred; Solomon Auttman, Joseph W. Banks, W^ilsou Barnes, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 499 

Jacob J. Barnes, William Barnes, B. W. Bledsoe; L. W. Bledsoe, 
wonnded; W. F. Boyd, Whitfield Brooks. William Brooks, A. 
Pickens Burnett, J. P. Burnett, Ralp S. Burnett; Joseph Buf- 
fington, died 1S93; J. Oliver Berr}', wounded; Elijah Berry; 
William Berry, died; Steven A. Campbell, died; John C. 
-Chapman, William E. Clark; Andrew T. Coleman, Company 
Clerk; Jacob Corley, lost arm; John A. Corley, West Corley, 
Hardy Crouch, Noel Crouch, W. S. Crouch; V. E. Crouch, 
wounded; William Crouch, H. Pope Culbreath; Ira P. Cul- 
breath, color bearer; J. H. Cambee; Frank Cockerel, trans- 
ferred; William Davis; Lewis Davis, died; Daniel C. Glenn, 
James Goodwin, James Cosset, Crawford Griffith, George 
Griffith, M. C. Gant, John Goggans; West Gentry, trans- 
ferred; George Havird, E. J. Havird, Z. C. Havird, Winfield 
Havird, John Oliver Havird, T. W. Halman, Milled ge Hal- 
man, Calvin Halman, E- Berry Hazle, William Hazle; John B. 
Hill, wounded; W. R. Hunter, Tillman Jennings. Spencer 
Jennings, Philip Jennings, }J. H. Kempson; J. S. Kennerly, 
died; Eevi Koon, transferred; M. R. Eowrey, Frank Eowrey, 
Joseph M. Eong; George W. Eong, company commissary; 
George W. Eong, Sr. , killed; Eeontine Mack, Solomon Morse; 
Sret Mills, transferred; Wade Mills, killed; William Mills, 
died during the war; Job McGee, transferred; West McGee, 
Reuben McCarty; J. Mack McCarty, wounded; M. C Nichols, 
Wat Nichols; J. J. Odom, transferred; Willis A. Odom, J. P. 
Owens, David W. Padget; West Parish, transferred; M. B. 
Perry, wounded; Wesley Perry, Oliver B. Perry, Bennet Fer- 
ry; Milledge Pitts, killed; James S. Pou, William B. Powel, 
W. M. Prather; Albert Reams, wounded; Ridley Reams, 
Jordan Reams; John B. Riley, died; Derrick Riley, Samuel 
Riley, T. E. Rinehart, West Rinehart, Sumter Ridlehoover, 
B. F. Sample; Walter D. Spann, died; George W. Spearman, 
J. F. Spearman, W. B. Stevens; David R. Strother, wounded; 
William A. Strother. E. M. Smith, William Martin Stewart, 
Earkin Snelgrove; T. E Smith, transferred; William Salter, 
transferred; Willis Stone, transferred; D. R. Thomas, James 
Thomas, J. Pinckney Trotter, Jesse Turner, George W. Tur- 
ner, Ralph Turner, Samuel Webb, Daniel Whittle; Willis 
Whittle, discharged; W. W. Williams; Calvin Watson, trans- 
ferred; Tillman AVatson regimental commissary; Frank M. 



500 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Yarbrongh, Jesse Riddle, L. Riddle, Benjamin Watkins. 
Total rank and file, 149. 

This number is not more than half of those who were actu- 
ally connected with the company during the war. 

Of these were killed, 4; wounded, 10; died of disease, 8, 

ADDITIONAL NAMES. 

John Aughtry, Charles Aughtry; Elisha Attaway, wounded; 
A. J. Cobler, Henry Butler, Chesley Butler, Silas Butler, 
Presley Butler, Milledge Bledsoe, R. W. Bledsoe, Peter Duffy, 
A. E. Dorn, George DeLoach, Caleb DelvOach; Jeremiah Mor- 
gan; Ralph Morris, killed; Brown Jennings; Adam C. Ripley, 
wounded; Richard Ripley, Henr)^ Ripley, Sumter Ridlehoover, 
Henry Waits, Alley Ridlehoover, Samuel Waits; Peter ,Schum- 
pert, died; Jefferson Reams, James P. Merchant, James D. B. 
Miller, John B. W. Miller. Total, 30; making a grand total 
of 179. 

There were several from I^aurens County who were mem- 
bers of this company, but their names are not given here. 
Perhaps they should be, as they were in an Edgefield com- 
pany, but Edgefield should have credit only for the men who 
went from that county. 

Wade Mills was killed by the bursting of a siege gun at Bat- 
tery Reid, on James Island, while firing on the "Swamp 
Angel." 

This company was enlisted in August, 1861, ai.d went into 
service at Camp Butler, near Aiken. After the organization 
the command was transferred to Fort Johnson, on James Island, 
and served in the defence of Charleston until the evacuation of 
that city in February, 1865. The company was the nucleus 
of Colonel T. G. lyamar's Battalion and subsequent regiment, 
the Second of Artillery. In the battle of Secessionville — the 
capture of the Isaac P. Smith, a Federal gunboat, and in other 
engagements and skirmishes on James Island — this command 
was an active participant. After the evacuation of Charleston, 
which city this command had held safe from the eneni}^ for 
four long 5'ears by arduous labor on her defences and ex- 
hausting exposure, night after night, under an almost con- 
tinual fire of the enemies guns, the command was attached to 
the army of General Johnston and served as infantry until the 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 501 

surrender. There was no finer body nor better drilled com- 
pany in the Army of the South. The company suffered heavy 
loss in the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville in North 
Carolina. This Veteran command surrendered with General 
Joe Johnston at Greensboro, N. C, in 1865. 

THE CITADEL ACADEMY. 

In Colonel J. P. Thomas' History of tlie South Carolina 
Military Academy, I find the name of J. A. Crooker, from 
Edgefield, as a graduate in 1S50; Civil Engineer; Adjutant 
Twenty-second South Carolina Volunteers in 1862; Eieutenant 
Twenty-seventh South Carolina Volunteers {1^1863, in what 
company is not stated. He was not, however, in either Com- 
pany F or B; or if he was he is not so marked as from Edge- 
field. 

E. J. Walker, from Edgefild, graduated in 1851; lawyer in 
Georgia; Captain Georgia Volunteers in 1861; Colonel of 
Georgia Regiment, and was severely wounded at Manassas 
Gap in 1863. 

E. Croft, Edgefield, graduated in 185 6; planter in Edgefield 
District; Captain in Fourteenth Regiment, South Carolina 
Volunteers, in 1S61; in battles around Richmond and Freder- 
icksburg, and skirmishes; severely wounded at battle of Cold 
Harbor; promoted Major; severely wounded at battle of Get- 
tysburg; promoted Lieutenant Colonel Fourteenth Regiment. 
After the war lawyer at Greenville Court House; Trial Justice; 
member of Board of Visitors South Carolina Military Academy; 
died in 1892. 

A. J. Norris, Edgefield, graduated with distinction in 1S60; 
Instructor in Citadel Academy, resigned April, 1861; Captai:i 
Confederate States Army 1861, resigned December, 1862; 
Professor Belles Letters and History, A. A., and Second Lieu- 
tenant Battalion Cadets. After the war lawyer at Edgefield; 
President of the Bank; President of the Factory, 

P. S. Norris, graduated with distinction in 1864; Lieuten- 
ant and Assistant Professor in Hillsboro Military Academy, 
N. C; merchant in 1872; died in 1874. 

J. H Bouknight, graduated in 1865; farmer. 

O. Sheppard, graduated in 1865; lawyer. 

T. G. Croft, cadetship from 1862 to 1865; University of Vir- 



502 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

ginia 1S66-67; in business in Gaorgia 1867-73; pl^ysician 
1875-92, established at Aiken with a lucrative practice. 

P. N. Zimmerman, graduated in 1886; farmer. 

J. W. Outz, graduated in 1S86; Civil Engineer and con- 
tractor; Chief Engineer Atlanta Iron and Steel Company. 

J. H. Brooks, graduated in 1SS6; with the maintenance of 
Way Department of the A. & C. Division of the R. & D. R. R. 

B. E. Clark, graduated with distinction in 1888; Civil En- 
gineer; died in 1891. 

B. S. Cogburn, graduated in 1890; Principal of Eong Branch 
School, Edgefield County. 

A. G. Ethere(ige, graduated in 1S92; teacher. 

A very interesting chapter might be given here of the ser- 
vices of the cadets of the INIiiitary Academy during the War 
of vSecession, but that chapter belongs to the general history of 
the State, and it is perhaps enough to insert here what 
Major J. B. White says, closing his report of the operations of 
the Battalion of State Cadets from November, 1864, to April, 

1865: 

"I regret to report the deaths of the following cadets, all of 
whom died from diseases induced by the exposure and hard- 
ship of service, viz.: R. F. Nichols and John Culbreath, Com- 
pany A, [Culbreath was from Edgefield]; G. O. Buck, T. A. 
Johnson, and R. Noble, of Company B." John Culbreath 
died at home. 

James Y. Culbreath, now a lawyer at Newberry, brother to 
John, was at that time also a cadet in the Academy, and was 
several times sent as a guard with prisoners to Ander.sonville. 

Major White thus closes: "I would take this opportunity to 
express my obligations to the officers under my command for 
the zeal, ability, and alacrity with which they discharged their 
duties, nor can I fail to call j'our attention to those 5'oung but 
noble sons of our beloved State, the Cadets of the Military 
Academy of South Carolina. Upon the battlefield, in camp, 
on the march, on picket, or working upon defences, the}' were 
ready for every emergenc)', manifesting at all times, and under 
the most trying circumstances, a manly and soldierly aspect, 
not finding fault with tho.se in authority, but doing their duty 
cheerfully and well. ' ' 

Colonel Thomas supplements the report of Major White 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 503 

with an account of the services of the cadets from the begin- 
ning of the war to the close — services honorable to themselves, 
to the Academy, and to the State. Mention has been made 
here, if we mistake not, of all the officers, graduates, and 
cadets who were from Edgefield. Less I could not do, and 
more is be}'ond the scope of this work. 

THE CONFEDERATE FLAG. 

It is with great pleasure that I am able to introduce among 
the rolls of the Confederate soldiers from Edgefield a poem 
(see page 471) on the Confederate flag. The author of the 
poem is a daughter of the late Colonel Louis T. Wigfall, of 
Texas, who was born at Edgefield. Some years before Seces- 
sion Colonel Wigfall moved to Texas and was Confederate 
States Senator from that State during the four 3'ears of strug- 
gle and trial. 

Of his career in life I know but little, but I was very deeply 
impressed by reading a speech he made while in the Confeder- 
ate Senate. I think the speech was on a resolution to suspend 
the operation of the writ of habeas corpus; and Colonel Wigfall 
opposed with all the zeal and strength of a great mind the 
passage of tlie resolution. He showed with all the energy 
possible the evil effects that would follow and what a horrible 
thing it was to take away at one stroke all the rights of a citi- 
zen and all the rights of the States and reduce the whole coun- 
try to the condition of a military despotism and subject to the 
arbitrary will of one man. 

It was a strong plea for individual and personal rights, and 
for the rights of the individual States. And his plea was suc- 
cessful. 

"The Confederate Flag" is copied trom the Edgefield 
Chronicle of April 28th, 1897. 

HALTIWANGER. 

In a notice of the Haltiwanger family on page 395 it is said 
that the father of Jacob Haltiwanger, who was born J.Iarch 
30th, 1785, came from Germany, and that he took an active 
part 'in the colonial struggle for Independence. He was indeed 
an ardent Whig and fought bravely for the success of the cause 
which he so ardently espoused. 

Tradition has given me only one incident of his career as a 



504 HISTORY OF EDGKFIELD. 

soldier illustrating the narrow escape he had from captivity or 
death, and perhaps both. On one occasion the party of Whigs 
to which he belonged had been attacked, routed, and dispersed. 
In making his escape he ran through a field which had been 
only recently cleared and there were many piles of brush in 
the field. Into one of these piles of brush he was able to 
crawl and hide himself without being seen by the enemy. 
The Tories, however, knew that he vt^as of the party, for he had 
been seen, and they knew that he was lying somewhere about 
hidden in the brush. They made a diligent search, even sur- 
rounded the pile in which he was concealed and thrust their 
swords into the brush, by some of which thru.sts he was 
severely cut; but he had fortitude enough to bear the pain 
without crying out. And so he escaped without serious 
hurt. 

This reminds me of a story very much like it in the Annals 
of Newberry (page 595), where it is related that the house of 
a Mr. Tovvnsend was burned and he barely escaped with his 
life. He had just time to hide himself without having been 
seen by his enemies in a pile of brush near the housvf. While 
the house was burning the heat was so intense where he lay 
concealed as to be almost unbearable. In fact, it is said that 
his back was blistered by the intense heat. But he was en- 
abled to bear it, and so escaped with his life. This incident 
occurred, I think, in the upper part of Edgefield, that part 
which now forms part of the new County of Greenwood. 

Descendants of both these men are now living in Saluda and 
adjoining counties, and I have no doubt that many of them are 
known to each other, but they may not know of the facts here 
related until they read them in this book. 

From the Youth's Companion: 

BUTLER AND FARLEY. 

"The bravest are the tenderest, the loving are the daring." 

General Maury tells a story, worthy of everlasting remem- 
brance, about a South Carolina soldier, Colonel Haskell, 
whose arm was shattered so that amputation at the shoulder 
was necessary. The surgeon was about to administer chloro- 
form wdien Haskell said: "Stop, doctor! You must have verj' 
little chloroform, since the enemj' has declared it contraband of 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 505 

war. Is it not so?" "Yes, Colonel." "Then keep it for some 
poor soldier who needs it. I can do without." Another anec- 
dote of a similar kind is thus related by General Maur}-: 

General M. C. Butler, of South Carolina, was serioush' 
wounded and maimed for life at the battle of Brandy Station. 
He and a young captain named Farley had just come out of 
action in the early morning and were laughing together over 
some amusing incident they had noticed. At that moment a 
cannon ball came bounding at them. It struck Butler's leg 
above the ankle, tore through his horse, and cut off Farle5''s 
leg above the knee. 

Down they all went. Butler began to stanch the blood 
with his handkerchief and advised Farley how to do the same. 
Captain Chestnut, lyieutenant Rhett, and other officers came 
running to Butler's help; but at that moment he observed that 
Farley's dying horse was struggling and seemed likely to crush 
its rider. 

"Go at once to Farley!" cried Butler. "He needs you more 
than I do." 

They did as they were bidden, and Farley was placed in a 
litter. He asked them to bring his leg and put it, too, in the 
litter. Then he said: 

"Now, gentlemen, you have done all for me that is possi- 
ble. I shall be dead in an hour. God bless you for your 
kindness. I bid you all an affectionate farewell. Go at once 
to Butler." 

That evening Butler's leg was dressed in the hospital just 
as poor Farley breathed his last. The two men had never 
seen each other till that morning. 

"Henceforth," says General Maury, "we shall not need to 
go to Sir Philip Sidney lor an example of noble self-sacrifice." 



506 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 



XL. 

TROOPS FOR FLORIDA. ,jj^ ^ 

From the Edgefield Advertiser, February nth, 1S36: ''^ 

Our readers are informed that an express reached Governor 
McDuffie eight or ten daj^s ago, requiring two regiments of 
men from the State, for the Florida service. A requisition of 
three companies was made upon this District. The Tenth 
Regiment was immediately assembled, and it is highl}- grati- 
fying for us to record that the draft was superceded b}- the 
prompt volunteering of the men. In all the Regiments more 
men tendered their services than were required and the officers 
of the respective companies were compelled to refuse many. 
And as strange as it may sound to the ears of some, it is nev- 
ertheless true, that we saw men with tears in their eyes, beg- 
ging that they should be received. On' Thursday last the 
three companies were assembled at this place by order of the 
Governor to be reviewed and ordered to their place of destina- 
tion. A fine band of music attended from Hamburg, and 
never did we see at this place a larger throng of our citizens. 
His Excellency made a short, but animating address to the 
respective companies — he told them the}' were charged with 
the honor of South Carolina, and said he had no fears that 
honor was safe. We looked at the officers and we looked at 
the men again and again, and we will venture to say without 
intending a boast that the volunteers of Edgefield, come what 
ma}^, will nobly do their duty. 

In the evening they took up the march to Aiken, under an 
escort of Captain Griffin's Troop of Cavalry. They are des- 
tined for Charleston, and finally, we understand, for Picalati, 
Florida. 

It ma}^ be important to observe that a fund of upward of 
$5,000 was subscribed by our citizens for these trave volun- 
teers — and that the ladies of our village, with a patriotism and 
public spirit highly commendable were most busily engag-ed 
up to the ver}^ moment of their departure, in the making of 
uniforms for Captain Jones' Company, of this Regiment and 
providing otherwise for their comfort. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 507 

We have the pleasure of laying before our readers the 
names of the officers and privates. 

^^^' \ SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

James Jones, Captain; Eldred Simkins, First Lieutenant; 

Udmnnd L. Penn, Second Lieutenant; John W. Wiinbush, 

Kfi-sign; Milledge L- Bonhani, First Sergeant; Charles K. 
J^linson, Second Sergeant; Giles Mims, Third Sergeant; 
.T^i'quilla Miles, Fourth Sergeant; W. P. Delph, First Corporal; 

Arthur Simkins, Second Corporal; Hartley M. Mims, Third 
-'Corporal; John M. Prothro, Fourth Corporal; Julius C. Perdue, 

•Fifth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

"Thomas G. Bacon, Wilson Bartlet, Thomas Bird, John 
Bradley, B. C. Brj^an, Wm. H. Bunch, Richard J. Burton, 
Wm. M. Burt, Edward Butler, Dennis Carpenter, Noah Cor- 
.le3% Enos Clark, Sherry Covar, Wincey Dorton, Ephr'm 
Franklin, Ca.sper Gallman, Milledge Galphin, William Q. 
Gardner, Wni. G. . Gilliam, Edmund Glascock, John Grice, 
EHred Grice, Jeremiah Hall, James Hagood, Lucius L. Hall, 
.I,eroy H. Hall, Isham Carpenter, Thos. J. Hamilton, Isham 
Haney, William Harris, Benjamin Harrison, Henry W^ard, 
l^T.lliam Jackson, Robert Kenny, Stewart Long, William 
I^yles, Sampson B. Mays, Henry Mays, Stephen Mays, A\'m. H. 
Mears, George Miller, John Mims, John W. Mundy, David 
Mxirphy, Joseph Nobles, Feb. Nifholas, William Pierce, Smith 
Radford, Richard Ripley, Stanmore B. Ryan, Benjamin I. 
Ry-au, Lewis Satcher, Ab. Swearingen, Davis Tissick, James 
Swearingen, Edward Trailer, Enoch Walker, Herbert Elder, 
Saranel L. Ward, R. W^eatherford, J. Weatherford, William 
Whitlock. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 

David Denny, Captain; Jesse Schumpert, First Lieutenant; 
W:. T. Abuey, Second Lieutenant; John Johns, Ensign; Thos. 
'Sc^irry, First Sergeant; Abner Hearn, Second Sergeant; John 
..'Smith, Third Sergeant; O. Raraage, Fourth Sergeant. 

PRIVATES. 

Allen Vaughn, Willis Rotton, James Edwards, A. H. Pat- 
,.rii:k, George Gihnan, George Heuson, Caleb Inabnet, Joel 



508 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Merchant, Wesley Barnes, William Culbreath, Simpson Cor- 
ley, James Powell, A. G. McCarty, Jesse Augustine, Benja- 
min Abney, Peter Berry, Arch'd Jenning, H. Raiborn, J. P. 
Duffy, Jonathan Row, George lyOng, Benjamin Neal, J. B. 
Smith, Benjamin Raiborn, J. Hughes, H. Culbreath, Lewis 
Watson, A. Clark, A. Whittle, William Christian, S. Edson, 
William Foy, W. Wheeler, R. Humphries, Jacob Trotter, W. 
Barker, Thomas Jennings, Elisha Barker, H. Arnold, William 
Corley, H. C. Etheredge, Andrew Harter, Prince Little, W. L. 
Coleman, James Norrel, Alexander Stewart, Elisha Ataway, 
Clark Martin, William Abney, John Perry, Jr., Walter Brown, 
Charles O'Neal, Grant Scurry, A. Martin, W. G. Salter, B. 
Merchant, Luber Taylor, P. McCarty, David Long, F. Mas- 
sey, Joseph Gaston, George Eacook, J. W. Holly, West Cul- 
breath, M. Graham, M. W. Abney. 

NINTH REGIMENT. 

Thomas J. Hibbler, Captain; R. P. Brunson, First Lieuten* 
ant; James Yeldell, Second Lieutenant; L- G. Holloway, En- 
sign; Elbert Devore, First Sergeant; John B. Holmes, Second 
Sergeant; Edward Morris, Third Sergeant; W^m. H. Adams, 
Fourth Sergeant. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas S. Adams, John Kilcrease, Robert Burton, Joseph 
Lantern, D. Holsonback, Seaton Mootry, George Bussey, 
George Martin, William Bowling, Hugh Moseley, Arthur 
Grice, Robert Meriwether, William Bush, James Martin, 
James Bufhngton, Joel McClendon, Edward Collier, Henry M. 
Nix, Luke Corley, John North, Cartlet Corley, John Prince, 
Thomas Corley, Terry Ouinu, John Cox, Francis Reynolds, 
James Creymore, J. M. Reynolds, David Johnson, Reuben 
Reynolds, Russell Doolittle, J. W. Radcliffe, James Davis, 
Henry Reel, Saborn Doolittle, E. P. Spivy, Wdooly, William 
Street, Solomon Eikner, Archy Smith, John Evans, Wiley G. 
Spencer, Thomas Edwards, John Stedham, David Ferguson, 
John Syms, Wiley Freeman, James J. Spivy, Yancy Freeman, 
Amos Smith, Spencer Elmore, A. W. Shannon, William 
Holmes, J. P. Terry, Lewis Hill, J. Timmerman, William Y. 
Hitt, George Thurmond, H. Holsonback, Peter Williams, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 509 

Wash C. Hall, Mitchell Wells, Minor Kilcrease, Henry Winn, 
George Kilcrease, Chas. G. Wallace. 

After the above was in type a friend handed ns the names of 
the "Hamburg Volunteers," which makes our list of volunteers 
from this District complete. 

HAMBURG VOLUNTEERS. 

S. W. Cunningham, Captain; M. Penworth, First Lieuten- 
ant; Beverly A. Mann, First Sergeant; W. Ladson Smith, 
Third Sergeant. 

PRIVATES. 
D. S. Bobb, N. B. Wise, lyarkin Anderson, Washington 
Floyd, J. D. Atterberry, J. C. Mayson, R. S. Butler, Thomas 
M. Anderson, M. F. D. Roddy, Charles C. Spann, W. Drake, 
W. H. Cox, James Meelin, J. Jeanerett, S. Hyams, George H. 
Fraser, John W. Yarborough, E. C. Rice, Tucker, G. W. 
Chamberlin, Robert Quian. 



5IO HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

XLI. 

WAR WITH MEXICO. 

I am proud and happy that I am able to introduce in this ■ 
History of Edgefield the following documents, viz.: Abstract- 
or the last muster roll of Captain Brooks, Company of old 
Ninety-Six Boys, Company D, Palmetto Regiment, showing 
all the casualties. I^etter from the ofl&cers of the company ta ■ 
the Clerk of the Court accompanying the flag, under which it 
appears that io8 men were enrolled, of whom onl}' 28 returned' , 
with it from Mexico. The presentation of a sword to Lieuten- 
ant Joseph Abney by the Saluda (Tenth) Regiment, with the: 
speeches on the occasion. 

The whole, taken together, reads like a chapter from tiie •: 
old days of chivalry and romance. Copied and sent to me by 
John R. Abney, Esq., of New York. 

These, \v^ the rolls of the troops engaged in the Seminole - 
War^ make a proper and fitting close of the history. "~^ 

Edgefield Advertiser, October nth, 184S: 

MUSTER ROLL OF CAPTAIN BROOKS' COMPANY. 

Abstract of the last muster roll of Captain Brooks' Company 
of old Ninety-Six Boys (Company D, Palmetto Regiment,) 
showing all the casualties and changes which have occurred., 
in said company during the Mexican Campaign: 

Preston S. Brooks, Captain; Joseph Abney, Second Lieuten- 
ant; Lafayette Wever, Second Lieutenant; Richard S. Kej'. . 
First Sergeant; Eldred Simkins, Second Sergeant; Cary W. 
Styles, Third Sergeant; Hlllery Cooper, Fourth Sergeant;. 
Jeffenson P. Nixon, First Corporal; Wm. B. Galphin, SecomJ., 
Corporal; Charles Kenny, Third Corporal; Robert Slowman, . 
Fourth Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 
John A. Addison, Leonard P. Andrews; Thomas Anderson,. ., 
transferred from Company L to Company D; John W. Arnold, . 
transferred from Company E to Company D; Willis Branaon, 
left sick in Hamburg, afterwards joined the regiment, never- 
having heard of the order, discharging the sick left behind^., 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 5 II 

Horatio Blease, Wm. Betsil, Wm. Burrell, John Cureton, 
Geo. W. Durst, Jasper Devore, James Goflf, David Hopkins, 
Wiley Holsonback, Robert E. Kenny, Edmund Melton, Alex. 
McKenzie, James Marony; Henry Mallon, substitute for J. C. 
Larke; Thomas B. Norvel, recruit; Elbert Padgett; Nelson D. 
Philips, recruit; Alex. Sharp ton; Wm. S. Smith, transferred 
from Company K to Company D; Godfrey Strobel, Wm. F. 
Uuthank; John A. Walsingham, recruit; Jeptha L. Wikle, re- 
cruit. Total, 28. 

RESIGNED. 

Wm, C. Moragne, First Eieutenant, resigned 1848; Wm. P. 
Jones, Second Dieutenant, resigned 1847. 

KILLED IX BATTLE. 

David Adams, Second Lieutenant, killed at Churubusco 
August 20th, 1847, promoted from First Sergeant to Second 
Ivieutenant July 8th; Wm. Butler Blocker, Sergeant, killed at 
Garita de Belin September 13th, while in command of com- 
pany; Lewellen Goode, Corporal, killed at Garita de Belin 
September 13th, 1S47; Turner Crooker, private, killed at 
Garita de Belin September 13th, 1847; Henry Callahan, 
killed at Garita de Belin September 13th, 1847; Thomas M. 
Dyles, killed at Garita de Bella September i3tli, 1847; Mathew 
Martin, killed at Garita de Belin September 13th, 1847; Thomas 
F. Tillman, killed at Churubusco August 2otli, 1847. Total, 
including" Corporal Brooks, 9. 

DIED. 

Lemons Abney, died on march to Perote August 8th, 1S47; 
Malachi Bettis, died at Puebla August ist, 1847; John A. 
Blankenship, died at Vera Cruz June, 1847; William H. Cobb, 
died at Puebla June 3rd, 1847; Nathan DeLoach, died at 
Puebla June 3rd, 1847; Wm. B. Davis, recruit, died at Jalapa 
May, 1 848; James Duncan, died at Vera Cruz December i6th, 
1847; James Fitzsimmons, transferred from Company H to 
Company D — died or deserted at San Angel 12 th January, 
1847; John T. Gassaway, died at Puebla September Sth, 1847; 
Julius N. Glover, died at San Angel September 20th, 1847; 
Jesse Hill, at Puebla September 15th, 1847; Reub. Jarral, at 
Atlanta January 14th, 1846; Bolivar Jones, at Puebla July 



512 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

2nd, 1S47; Joliu Johnson, Vera Cruz May i6tb, 1847; Hugh 
McMahou, San Angel December 27th, 1847; Moody McDaniel, 
City of Mexico October 20th, 1847; Thomas H. Nixon, City of 
Mexico October 17th, 1S47; Reuben Newman, substitute for 
C. Ardis, at Puebla August, 1847; John Proctor, Perote June 
2ist, 1847; Wm. F. Reynolds, Vera Cruz April 4th, 1847; 
Wiley Robinson, Puebla June i8th. 1847; Edward Ramsay, 
died at sea February loth, 1847; Benj. Tillman, Perote Sep- 
tember, 1847; Paschal Tillman, Perote August, 1847; Benj. G. 
Tillman, killed accidentally at City of Mexico November 6th, 
1847; John Wells, Jalapa June 8th, 1848; JefF. Williamson, 
Perote June 1 6th, 1847; Toliver Youngblood, Puebla October 
7th, 1847. Total, 28; deserters, 5. 

DISCHARGED. 

Vincent Cogburn, Sergeant, discharged on certificate of dis- 
ability November ist, 1847; Lewis Covar, Corporal, dis- 
charged on certificate of disability June ist, 1847; Christopher 
Ardis, private, discharged on certificate June 25th, 1847, at 
Puebla, by substitute; James M. Addison, on certificate of dis- 
ability at Puebla December 2nd, 1847; Henry W. Barham, by 
general order from Washington April 26th, 1847; Joshua 
Broome, by surgeon's certificate of disability November 27th, 
1847; Anthony Delorea, on pension certificate October 27th, 
1847; James D. Davis, on certificate of disability at Puebla 
October 30th, 1847; Joseph H. Gassaway, on certificate of dis- 
ability at Puebla November 2nd, 1847; Wm. T. Gafford, on 
certificate of disabilit}' at Puebla 1847; Benj. Gill, on certifi- 
cate of disability at Puebla December 30th, 1847; John Gill, 
by general order from Washington April 26th, 1847; Joel P. 
Hill, on certificate of disability at Perote November 2nd, 1847; 
Anderson Howard, on certificate of disability at City of 
Mexico December 7th, 1847; Joseph A. Jones, on certificate of 
disability at Puebla December 2nd, 1S47; Thomas G. Ke}', by 
order of Secretary of War at San Angel March loth, 1848; 
James C. Lark, b}- substitute at Cit}- of Mexico December 7th, 
1847; W^m. E. Murphy, certificate of disability at Mexico No- 
vember 27th, 1S47; Frederick Morgan, discharged on disability 
at Mexico December 27th, 1847; Joseph C. Payne, on account 
of mental incapacity at Griffin January 8th; Francis Posey, 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 513 

on pension certificate at Mexico October 27th, 1847; Christo- 
pher Pryor, by general order from Washington at Hamburg 
April 26th, 1847; Pickens B. Ryan, by general order from 
Washington at Hamburg April 27th, 1847; Jeff Whitaker, on 
pension certificate at Mexico October 2-th, 1847. Total, 22. 

TRANSFERRED. 

John C. Simkins, Sergeant, promoted to First Lieutenant 
Twelfth Infantry July, 1847; Whitfield B. Brooks, promoted 
to Second Lieutenant Twelfth Infantry October, 1847, died of 
wound received in Battle Churubusco October, 1847. 

LETTER FROM THE OFFICERS ACCOMPANYING THE 

FLAG. 

Edgefield Advertiser, October i8th, 184S: 

We subjoin a letter from the officers of the Company of 
"Ninetj-Six Boys" to Thos. G. Bacon, Esq. It will be seen 
that these gentlemen have deposited the company flag for safe 
keeping in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas. Under this flag 108 men were enrolled, and only 28 
returned with it from Mexico. 

Edgefield C. H., October i6th, 1848. 
Thos. G. Bacon, Esq., C. C. P.: 

Dear Sir: As the representatives of Company "D," 
"Ninety-Six Boys," Palmetto Regiment, we have the honor 
to place into your keeping and that of your successors in oflice, 
the accompanying "battle flag," presented to our corps by 
one of our own fair countrywomen and baptized in the purest 
of Carolina's best blood. 

W^e present it to the people of Edgefield District as a voucher 
of the patriotism and gallantry of her children, devoutly hop- 
ing that mild vizaged peace will long permit it to remain a dis- 
trict record, and in full confidence that should South Carolina be 
called again to the field it will have "a place in the picture." 
Respectfully your ob't serv'ts, 
P. S. BROOKS. 
WM. C. MORAGNE. 
JOS. ABNFY. 
E. B. WEAVER. 



514- HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

Edgefield Advertiser, November i5tli, 1848: 
PRESENTATION OF A SWORD 

To Lieutenant Joseph Abney, of the old Ninety-Six Boys: 
The citizens of the Saluda Regiment, Edgefield, at their 
parade of the 31st ult., presented to the above named officer of 
the Palmetto Regiment, the sword which had been agreed upon 
at a previous meeting for that purpose. The sword is a highly 
finished one, from the Manufactory of Gregg & Haden, 
Charleston, with inscriptions denoting the cause and purpose 
of the gift. Col. Arthur Simkins, w'ho was requested to act on 
the part of the regiment, accompanied the presentation with 
the following address: 

Lieutenant Abney: I have the honor to discharge at this 
moment what is to me a very pleasing duty. I hold in my 
hand a sword intended b}- the citizens of your native regiment, 
as a mark of the high appreciation with which we have all 
regarded your very handsome conduct during the recent war 
with Mexico. Permit me to sa}' that many of your fellow- 
citizens, and especially your early associates, watched your 
individual progress through the perilous scenes to which that 
war gave rise, with much more than ordinary interest. It was 
expected, sir, that 3'ou would be found on all occasions fear- 
lessly discharging the high duties of a soldier good and true, 
and these expectations (I speak not for any purpose of flatter}') 
have been most fully realized. We have indeed been gratified 
to recognize in j-our name that of a worthy representative from 
Old Saluda, who bore himself wherever danger was most immi- 
nent with a gallantry equalled by few, surpassed by none. We 
were not disappointed in the confident belief we entertained 
from the beginning, that your generous enthusiasm could re- 
sult in naught, but honor to yourself and to the "home of j-our 
nativity." That it has done so is doubtless, as it should be, a 
source of honest pride to 3'ou and is certainly cause of con- 
gratulation, to your immediate fellow-citizens. As an evi- 
dence of our feelings towards you in this matter, I nbw, in 
behalf of the Saluda Regiment, deliver to you this sword. 
Accept it, sir, in the sense in which it is meant to be given, 
as a brave soldier's guerdon. And if in the progress of the 
ill boding events which thicken around us. it shall become 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 515 

necessary to raise the cry "to arms for the defence of Southern 
rights," we know full well that this bright blade will be 
among the first to leap from its scabbard, obedient to the 
impulsive grasp of one who has already been tried and found 
faithful. 

Lieutenant Abney, with an unaffected fervor, which is one 
of his highest characteristics, replied as follows: 

Sir: I receive through you, the representative of the Saluda 
Regiment, this elegant and costly sword, with the deepest 
feelings of gratitude. The handsome manner in which you 
have spoken the wishes and sentiments of you-r people, en- 
hances if possible, the value of the gift. 

This testimonial of the good will of "Old Saluda," the laud 
famous for warriors and brave men, and this high, public 
manifestation of her appreciation of my services to the country, 
is the m.ost grateful reward I could ask, for all the sufferings 
and privations I have endured in the camp and on the battle 
field.. It is an offering, too, by the friends of my boyhood and 
by my father's friends — b}- those who knew me at an age 
when the mind has no concealment, and who have a right to 
know me better than all others could know. I have the 
honor this day, and it is my glory and pride to receive from 
the associates of my early youth, and from those who have 
observed me from the cradle, "the plaudit of well done thou 
good and faithful servant." In the sincerity of my nature, I 
thank you — I thank you all for your uniform kindness in all 
the trials and difficulties of my life. . In sickness, in affliction 
and in battle, your warm sympathies have ever animated my 
heart and invigorated my feeble body. Without this, sir, I 
should not have been spared by providence to meet with you 
on an occasion so full of feeling and interest. 

My absence from home was attended by every anguish that 
the body or the mind could bear. Health was a blessing, by 
the inscrutable will of Heaven, wholly denied me; and the 
wounds inflicted by the enemy had scarcely ceased to bleed, 
when my bosom was made desolate by the intelligence of the 
death of an only parent, of one of the kindest and noblest and 
best of mothers. Though it may indulge somewhat too 
fondly, yet the heart must .speak. She was the embodiment 
of all the loveliness, affection, purity, and dignity of woman; 



5l6 HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD. 

and to be a solace and an honor to her declining 3^ears, had 
been the chief aim and ambition of my life; and when she was 
so snddenl)' torn from me, I felt that the great object for 
which I lived and labored had been removed. The prospect 
before me was as blank as despair, as dark as the grave. 

You must pardon me for alluding to a subject that you can 
only contemplate with pain, but which I dwell upon with 
melancholy fondness. It was suggested by the presence of 
ray old neighbors who knov/ so well how to appreciate the 
warmth of my feelings. 

You have been pleased to speak in kind and complimentary 
terms of ni}' conduct in battle, and of my bearing in all the 
appalling and exciting scenes of the great campaign of General 
Scott. In every situation in wdiich I was called upon to act, 
I did endeavor faithfully to discharge my duty as a soldier, 
and as a citizen of our great Republic. I could scarcely have 
done less than I did do. 

How could I have failed to fight while representing the 
honor of my country, the character of my State, the spirit of 
my District and the renowned courage of the people of ni}' 
birth-place? When we were children, we w^ere taught to 
revere the honored scars of our fathers, received in the achieve- 
ment of our national Independence — we were taught their 
tales of suffering, and their heroic fortitude was ever present 
to our minds. If I had passed through the world without 
bearing on my body some evidence of my devotion to the 
Union, I should have felt that I had not completed my whole 
task — that I was unequal to those who went before me. 

By an accident in the transmission of the orders for raising 
the Palmetto Regiment, this portion of the District was de- 
prived of an opportunity of bearing her full share in the dan- 
gers of the war, and as one of the few j'oung soldiers she had 
in battle, I was impelled by every feeling to endeavor to per- 
form the part of a man. Do you think, sir, that you could 
have shrunk from danger or death, when j-ou were the proud 
representative of the spirit of the gallant men \vho are now 
around us — when you were the champion of the noble regi- 
ment formed on my left? No, sir, deeply alive to the respon- 
sibility of 3'our position, and animated by that high spirit 
which God has given you, you could have felt no fear in dis- 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 



517 



charging your obligations to your friends, your neighbors, and 
your country. 

If I had been disposed to protect myself from the hazards of 
the fight, the brilliant examples of the young men whom you 
did send to the field, would have shamed mj^ weakness, and 
would have raised me above my fears. Of the twelve heroic 
spirits besides him you honor to-day, who went from your 
midst to vindicate our national rights, one-fourth were slain in 
battle, and of the remaining number, there were only two 
that passed unscathed through the perilous conflicts in which 
they were engaged; and I am sure that those two, in the hour 
of strife, never retired for a moment from their posts. I say 
it with pleasure and with pride, that some one from Saluda 
was amongst the foremost in the trench in every engagement 
of the war. On that bloody day when the mettle of South 
Carolina was taxed to its utmost — when the spirit of death 
walked through the field, and when our glorious Palmetto 
floated so gallantly amid the tumult and blaze of battle— if 
3'ou had witnessed the behaviour of your boys, you would 
have been proud to call them your children. Though I was 
the humblest amongst them, I have reason to declare to you 
that they were ever with the first in the onset. I had deter- 
mined, and I think we had all determined, never to let our 
banner fall. We would have preferred to perish under the 
flag, which bore on its folds the blended ensigns of our State 
and Union. 

But, sir, the great and honored leader of the Palmetto Regi- 
ment was born and brought up only a few miles from where I 
now stand, and was constantly before us, a model of virtue and 
courage worthy of the proudest days of Greece and Rome. 
Whilst he was bleeding in the field, how could a man of the 
Tenth Regiment refuse to bleed? Whilst he was cheering his 
gallant men to the charge, who could have been a laggard? If 
I could have faltered for an instant in the contest, whilst my 
uoble commander was dying by the hand of the enemy, I 
would have been no son of yours— no son of "Saluda." 

I reiterate to you my thanks for this most appropriate mark 
of the approbation of my fellow citizens. It is the richest re- 
ward that could have been bestowed upon one whose efforts 
to serve you have been feeble, but sincere. I requested the 



iXiOXV_'iVl KJl.' XVivVJ-lVX XXVAvU. 



committee who consulted me in regard to it, to have an eye 
, mainly to the metal and temper of the blade. My wishes have 
been fully complied with. I shall preserve this sword with 
sacred care, and if it should become necessary, I will try to 
use it well in the defence of my countrj^ — in the defence of 
our own institutions, and to the vindication of justice and 
honor. 



1 



The serious and respectful attention of the large assembly 
indicated even more forcibly than the loud shouts of applause 
raised b}^ a thousand voices at the close of the ceremony, that 
the transaction was regarded by all much more as a matter of 
feeling than of form. 



HISTORY OF KDGEFIELD. 519 



XLIL 

SALUDA COUNTY. 

Since I began to write the History of Edgefield the County 
has been shorn of its fair proportions. I congratulated it upon 
the loss of Hamburg, but I do not congratulate it upon the 
loss of that portion which has been cut oif and named Saluda 
County. The people of Saluda may be greatly benefited, in- 
deed. I hope they may, but Edgefield's loss is very great. 
There is no finer region of country in the State than that 
which lies on Big Saluda, and which is traversed by Little 
Saluda and Red Bank and other streams. 

I give here the Ordinance establishing the County of Saluda, 
and close the History of Edgefield with the beginning of the 
history of Saluda: 

AN ORDINANCE 

To establish a new judicial and election County from a portion 

of the territory of Edgefield County, to be called Saluda, 

with boundaries as hereinafter described. 

We, the people of South Carolina, by our delegates in con- 
vention assembled, do ordain: 

Section i. That a new judicial and election county, which 
shall be known as Saluda County, shall be formed and is 
hereby authorised to be formed with the following boundaries, 
to wit: Beginning at the centre of Big Saluda River at a. 
point opposite the corner of Edgefield and Eexington Counties, 
thence the Edgefield and Lexington line to the corner of Lex- 
ington and Aiken Counties, thence the Edgefield and Aiken 
line to a point three miles North of where the public road 
crosses said line near Lybrand's old mill, thence a straight line 
to ten mile post on public highway leading from Edgefield to 
Columbia near the residence of J. W. E- Bartley, thence a 
straight line to the junction of the public road leading from 
Pleasant Lane with the Long Cane road near William Lott's, 
thence by the Long Cane road to Matt Mathis' Cross Roads, 
thence a straight line to Owdom's Post Office, thence a straight 
line to Little Red School House near Dr. Landrum's old place, 



520 HISTORY OF EDGRFIRLD. 

thence a straight line to a point on the Northwestern line of 
Pine Grove Township one mile North of Double Bridges, thence 
along the Northwestern boundary of Pine Grove Township to 
the point on the old Charleston and Cambridge road where it 
crosses Halfway Swamp Creek, thence down the middle of 
Halfway Swamp Creek to a point in the middle of Saluda River 
opposite the mouth of said creek, thence down the middle of 
Big Saluda River to the initial point; and the territory em- 
braced within the said lines shall be known as the County of 
Saluda. 

Done in Columbia the Sixteenth day of October, in the 
5'ear of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hunded and Ninetj'- 
Five. 



The Convention met September loth, 1895, and continued 
to December 4th, 1895, when it adjourned sine die. 

The delegates from Edgefield were B. R. Tillman, W. J. 
Talbert, W. H. Timmerman, G. D. Tillman, J. C. Sheppard, 
and R. B. Watson. 

Mr. G. D. Tillman, as we have seen, was a member of the 
Convention of 1865, which framed a constitution, which never 
became the organic law, as the vState had not then passed 
through the throes of Revolution and Reconstruction. Are we 
throu.:!! yet? 



The upper part of Edgefiek' above Saluda County was cut 
off, joined to a part of Abbeville, and made into the County of 
Greenw'ood, with County Seat at Greenwood, Jauuar}-, 1S97. 

Poor old Edgefield! dreadfully shrunk since 18 17. 

A PARTING WORD. 

It is with a feeling of sadness, not unmingled with a sense 
of relief, that I close my labors on the Histor}- of Edgefield. 
The work is not perfect, no human production is, nor can be. 
Still I hope that I have done something to perpetuate the 
memory of some events and facts in history which should not 
be forgotten. And I hope that the work wnll not be altogether 
unacceptable to those for whom it was written — the children 
of old Edgefield, whether at home or abroad. 



HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD, 52 1 

It is easy to find fault with any work, for faults do exist in 
all. I cp.n find defects in the plot and in the execution of 
Milton's Paradise Lost, though it is impossible for me to write 
a poem equal to that immortal work. And so with all the 
productions of all writers who have ever lived. He is a verj-- 
vain and conceited individual who thinks that what he has 
done is so very nearly perfect as to be above criticism. At 
the same time the critic, when he sees a defect in the work of 
a writer or other artist, unless he knows the work is evil in 
purpose and intent, should endeavor to put himself in the 
place of the w^riter and consider whether he could have done 
any better. Where the purpose of the book is evil no castiga- 
tion can be too severe. 

Children of Edgefield, it may be that this is the last work, 
historical or other, that you will ever see from my pen. If it 
should be so, let us in love and peace greet each other with 
hail and farewell! 

Newberry, S. C, May 13th, 1897. 
ERRATA. 

On page 198 for "Rev. Wm. M. Wood," read "Rev. Wni. 
M. Mood." 

Page 200 in two places for "Captain David Bird," read 
"Captain Daniel Bird." 

On page 176 for "Harry Fall, term," read "Horry, Fall 
Term." 



*„ 



INDEX. 



Abbeville, 5, 10, 25. 

Abney, 12, 13, 14, 16, 47, 48, 51, 
58, 70; Mad Bill Abney, 97, 98; 
Joseph Abney, 246, 249, 274; Jo- 
seph M. Abney, 279-282; Dr. Ab- 
oey, 350; Abney Meeting House, 
51; John B. Abney, 275; Rev. 
Mark Abney, 276. 

Adams, W. W., 26, 125; Cicero 
Adams, 279; Dr. J. F. Adams, 357. 

Abolition Parly, 209. 

Aiken, 65, 77. >^ 

Address of Mr. Jameson, 213. 

Alison, 76. 

Alamo, 77, 96. 

Allen, Joe, 68; Major Scott Allen, 
121; John C. Allen, 121-J24. 

Armstrong, 28. 

Anecdote, 149. 

Alston, Governor, 43. 

An Old Memorandum Book, 116. 

Anderson, 15, 53, 54, 57, 70; Ander- 
son's Mill, 112. 

Antioch, 328. 

A & K. Railroad, no. 

Asbil, 92. 

Ashley, 5. 

Augusta, 5, 18, 20, 34, 61, 76, 53, 
102, 140, 144. 

Attention, Co. K, 14th Regiment, 
481. 

An Act of Heroism, 402. 

Anne Kennedy, 409. 

A Parting Word, 520. 
B 

Bacon, 28; Edmund Bacon, 179; 
John E. Bacon, 245. 

Bauskett, 105. 

Barrett, 93. 

Baker, 121. 

Bates, 93, 157. 

Bell, 26, 65, 74, 94. 

Beldon, Dr., 47. 

Berry, Rev. O. R., 18, IT3. 

Batesburg, 160. 

Bank of Hamburg, 241. 

Boulware's Store, 112. 

Boatner, 52. 

Bor^mi, 53. 

Bethel Church, 159. 

Bowles, Colonel, 169. 

Blocker Family, 272. 



Bean, James P., 279. 

Bonhani, 74. 

Bland, 77, 345. 119. 

Baukuight, 78. 

Boykiu, 13. 

Boyd, III. 

Blanding, 25. 

Bledsoe, 69. 

Bull, William and Stephen, 117. 

Beaver Dam, 53. 

Bush River, 53. 37. 136. 

Bussey, Rev. G. W., 113. 

Brown, the Tory, 132. 

Brooks, 26, 28, 44, 47, 50, 55, 14, 6, 

18, 265. 
Butler, 12, 26, 28; Butler History, 

30-46. 
Bowie, 58, 59, 62, 77. 96. 
Building Fort Keowee, 9. 
Broad River, 24, 67. 
Burkhalter, Dr. C. M , 362, 
Butler and Farley, 504. 

c 

Churches, Methodist, 290-29S; Pies- 
byteriau, 299-302; Lutheran, 302- 
305; Baptist, 306-328; Catholic, 
328; Episcopal, 328; Second Ad- 
ventists, 329; Universalists, 329. 

Caldwell, 28, 61, 127; James J. Cald- 
well, 1 78. 

Campbellton, 102-107, 112, 130, 145. 

Carroll, 28, 79, 100; J. P. Carroll, 
263. 

Coates, Hannah, 121. 

Chapman, Giles, 2or, 99. 

Chamberlain at Edgefield, 261. 

Change of Rule Military to Radical, 
350. 

Chatham, Captain, 222, 223. 

Chapul tepee, loS. 

Chota, 115. 

Catawba, 6. 

Cameron, 17, 78. 

Camden, 19, 27, 42. 

Caradine's Ford, 39. 

Calhoun, 43, 99, 100, I43- 

Carson, Wade, 47, 4^. lii; Carsons, 
&c., 14. 15- 

Chester, 10. 

Changes in Names, 19. 

Chicago, 21. , ^, , 

Charleston, Conference Saluda Old 
Town, 10. 



INDFX. 



Charlton, Captain, 87. 

Christian Priber, 21 

Chappells, 14, 15. 

Choctaws, 22. 

Champion, 48. 

Crockett, 77. 

Crouch, 89, 99. 

Crouder, 89, 97, 99. 

Cruger, 36, 67, 72; Mrs. Cruger at 

Ninety-Six, 152. 
Cuffeetown, 53. 
Clay, Henry, 210, 211. 
Clary, Colonel, 134. 
Clarke, Colonel, 132, 137, 153. 
Cogburn, 125. 
Coouer, 125. 
Carson, 125. 

Crozier, Calvin, 251, 252. 
Compromise Missouri, 211. 
Convention, 212; Convention of 

1868, 257. 
Contest, Legislature and CTOvernor, 

253- 
County of Aiken, 2 58. 
Cowpeus, 138. 
Charlottesville, 107. 
Currvton, 105, 106, 112. 
Clark's Hill, 109. 
Cloud, Mrs., 7; Cloud's Creek, 32, 

37. 55, 66, 68. 69, 72, 78. 
Carghiil, 67, 68, 95. 
Charlotte, 42, 47. 
Callett, Connor, 54, 75. 
Christie, Robert, 47. 
Clemson, T. G., 99, 100. 
Coosawhatchie, 35. 
Coleman.s, &c., iS, 83; Dr. Wm. 

Coleman, 361. 
Congarees, 7, 8. 
Condition of the County, 72. 
Colson, Jacob, 57. 
Corley, 38-41, 94, i49- 
Creeks, Cherokees, &c., 5, 17, 18- 

23, 56, 65. 
Cuba, 41. 

Culbreaths, &c., 11, 12. 
Cunningham, 16, 33, 39-4^, 47 56- 

60, 62, 67-71; Cunningham's 

Raid, 70, 95, 145. 149. 151- 
Clerks of Court, Sheriffs, &c., 417. 
Croftou, 108; Bennett Crofton, 135, 

136. 
Crooksbank, in. 
Culpepper, 121. 
Chavis' Creek, 108. 
C, C. & A. Railroad, 160. 
Cotton, prices in 1808, 1818, 1819, 

1820, 1822, and 1S24, 410-413. 
Confederate Flag (poem, 471), 503. 
Citadel Academy, 501. 



COMPANY rolls: 

G, 1st Regiment— Gregg's, 424. 
E, 1st Regiment— Gregg's, 427. 
H, 3rd Regiment, 427. 

E, 7th Regiment, 428. 

F, 7tli Regiment, 429. 
I, 24th Regiment, 491. 

G, 7th Regiment, 434. 
I, 7th Regiment, 436. 
K, 7th Regiment, 438. 
M, 7th Regiment, 439. 

K. 2nd Regiment Artillery, 49S. 

A, 19th Regiment, 442. 

B, 19th Regiment, 446. 

C, 19th Regiment, 449. 

D, 19th Regiment, 453. 
F", 19th Regiment, 458. 
K, 19th Regiment, 459. 
B, 6th Cavalry, 462. 

I, State Troops, 465. 

B, 2nd Regiment, State Troops, 466. 

B, 14th Regiment, 466. 

D, 14th Regiment, 473. 

G, 14'h Regiment, 476. 

K. i4tli Regiment, 477. 

Sergeant Dick Clary's List, 433. 

Troops for Florida, 506. 

From 7th Regiment, 507. 

From loth Regiment, 507. 

From qth Regiment, 508. 

From Hamburg, 504. 
Troops for Mexico, 510. 
Captain Brooks' Company, 510. 
Killed, Died, Discharged, 51 1-5 12 
Ninety-Six Riflemen, 418. 
Cherokee Pond Guards, 419. 
Denny's Cotupany, 419. 
Edgefield Riflemen, 420. 
Ninth Regiment Militia, 421, 422. 
Edgefield Hussars, 423. 

D 

Daugherty, 5. 

Davis, Jefferson, 76, 88. 

Daniels, 65, 89. 

Day, III. 

Davidson, General, 144. 

Dark Corner, 114, 115. 

Dalton, Ga., 221. 

Damascus, 315. 

Dean, 96; Dean's Swamp, 37, 149. 

Deering, 100. 

Dent, Captain, 43. 

De Loach, 41. 

Deshan, 47, 48. 

Denny. 73, 77, 89, 93; Colonel Den- 
ny, 380. 

DeLaughter, io5, in, 112. 

Delegates from Edgefield, 213. 

Death ofan aged lady, Mrs. Blocker, 
273- 



INDEX. 



Dillard, Mrs., 153. 

Division of the District, 94; Divis- 

iou of Niuety-Six into Districts, 5. 
Dooly, Colonel, 134. 
Dorn, 113; W. B. Dorn, 206; Dorn's 

Mill, 115; Dornville, 113. 
Lorenzo Dow, 52. 
Dozier, Miss Lizzie, SyjAbram Giles 

Dozier, 1S2.; 
Duff, Daniel, 127. 
Duuniore, Governor, 133. 
Dunlap, John, 182. 
Dunovant, R. G. M., 264. 
Dry Creek, 307. 

E 

Edistos, 6, 129. 

Edgefield, 316; Edgefield Village, 
416; Edgefield Village Academy, 
28; Edgefield Historical Hints, 
365; Edgefield County and Town 
— Descriptive, 366. 

Education, 25, 92, 333. 

Edwards, 54, 72, 74, 70, 97, 99, 207. 

Emory Chapel, 78, 92. 

Eutaw, 132. 

Euchees, 6. 

Episcopal, 328. 

Eskridge, Capt., 68. 

Etheredge, Henry, 68, 70. 

Enoree, 24. 

Elzey, Col. Lewis, 403-406. 

Errata, 521. 

F 

Fairchild, Capt., 7. 
Ferries-Saluda, 15; Ferries -After 

the Revolution, 53. 
Fight at Edgefield, 84. 
First Settlement, 5. 
Fletchall, Col., 57. 
Folk, Dr. H. M., 78. 
Fort Prince George, 10; Fort Moore, 

20; Fort Sumter— Attack on, 217. 
Ferguson, 73. 
Francis, Capt., 7. 
Fruit Hill and Vicinity, 121. 
Fires in Edgefield, 413-415. 
Furlough, An old, 440. 

G 
Garv, Gen. M. W., 260, 262, 268. 
Gantt, Judge Richard, 175. 
Galphiu, 155, 157. 131- 
Glascock, John S., 183. 
Gervais, G., 13T. 
Goodvvyn, Charles, 182. 
Governor and Legislature 1865, 257. 
Griffin, N. L-, 183; Griffin, Col. Jas. 

B., 266; Griffin, Prof., 113- 
Gray, Charles Martin, 191. 
Gregg, Wra., 266, 100. 



Grimke, John F., 174. 

Gould, 6, 7. 

Glenn, 7, 9. 

Greene, General, 32, 35. 67, 68, 154. 

Gettysburg, 124. 

Goodwin, 121. 

Goudy, Robert, 20. 

Gardner, in. 

Grant, Col., 7. 

Great Demoralization, 73. 

Greek Art, 88. 

Grigsby, Enoch, 96, 97. 

Gaines' Mill, 428. 

Greenwood County, 520. 

Geiger, Dr. W. W., 354. 
H 

Hamburg. Incorporated, 241; Ham- 
burg, 20, 103, 104, 106, loS; His- 
tory of Hamburg, 536. 

Hamilton, Joseph, 58; Col. and Capt. 
Hamilton, 50. 

Hammond, 65, 71, 104, 107, 151; 
LeRoy Hammond, 130-133, A. J. 
Hammond, 262; LeRoy and Sam- 
uel Hammond, 129-142; Samuel 
Hammond, 133-139. 

Hampton, Gen., 42; Edward Hamp- 
ton, 137; Governor Hampton, 262. 

Historv Co. K, 14th Regiment, 482- 
489.' 

Harrisburg, 103. 

Hill, Gen. D. H., 25; Led Hill, 
Lovett Hill, Henry Hill, et al., 96. 

Herlong, Revs. Henry and Vastiue, 
91, 92. 

Henderson, General, 36. 

Hazels, 11, 12. 

Higgins, I5iu52- 

Hodges, 82. 

Maj. Hodge, 91. 

Holston, Stephen, 8, 9. 

Holsteiu, Lieutenant Hiram, 89. 

Howard, Seth, 54. 

Huiett, Townships 55, 66. 

Haltiwauger, 395-39'"^. 5o3- 

Horn's Creek, 120. 

Hobbs, William E., 123. 

Hooker, at Chancellorsville, 232. 

Haddou, Joseph, 2S7. 

Home, Mi-s. Lucinda, 4S9-491. 
I 

Inconvenience of Settlers, 18. 

In Hospital, 225. 

J 

Jay's Treatv, 42; William Jay, 47. 

Jennings, 26; Robert W. Jennings, 
378; Misses Mary and Louise Jen- 
nings, 380; Dr. W. D, Jennings, 
354- 



IV 



INDEX. 



John's Creek, 7. 

Johnsou, Charles K,, 26, 28; Col. 
Richard Johnson, 145.- 

Jones, Matthews, 78, 109; Calvin 
Jones, 136; General James Jones, 
382; Capt. Lewis Jones, 37S. 

Journey of Washington, 51. 

Jeter, John S., 179. 
K 

Kansas — Nebraska Bill, 79; Kansas 
Troubles, 208. 

Kelly's Road, 15-16. 

Kennedy, 47, 52. 

Kennerl'y, Dr. J. W., 66. 

King's Mountain, 73. , 

Kiuard, Calvin W., 54. 

Keowee, 9. 

Kirkland, Joseph, 19; Hoses Kirk- 
land, 16, 17, 56, 67. 

L 

Lake, Dr. John, 353, 

La Borde, 28. 

Landrum, Dr. John, 263. 

Lee, Col., 35, 36, 37, 132. 

Long Cane, 20, 21. 

Lipscomb, 96. 

List of Capt. Zack Smith Brooks' 

Company, 47. 
Liberty Hill, 113. 
Long, Mike, 83. 
Lord Rawdon, 129. 
Lorick's Ferry, 40. 
Louisiana Purchase, 22. 
Lincoln, Gen., 35. 
Little Carpenter, 7. 
Literature, 336-342. 
Ladies' Literarv Society, 342. 

' M 
Merriwether, Dr. N., 355. 
Mayson, Henry, 54; James Maysou 

to Colonel Thompson, 59. 
Martins, 15^. 
Malmedy, 134. 
Masonic Lodge, 139. 
McDaniel, 8. 
Madison, Isabella, wife of Nathaniel 

Abney, 13; President Madison, 43. 
Middleton, Colonel, 23. 
Marion, Francis, 23. 
McDuffie, 28, 1S4. 
Mobile, 22. 
Moultrie, 34, 35, 66. 
Mount Willing, 3?, 54, 68; Secession 

at Mt. Willing, 87; Mount Willing 

— Origin of the Name, 95. 
Mount Enon, 50, 82. 
Mechlenburg, 144. 
Matthews, 48. 
Merchants, 50. 



Mobley, 55. 

Moragne, 28. • 

Mouongahela Indians, 6. 

Mims, Dr., 352. 

Moore, Charles, 136. 

Muster Roll of the Brooks Com- 
pany, 47. 

Mountain Creek, 316. 

INIartins of Martin Town, 392. •^ 

Memorandum Book — Old, 116. 

McKie, 106, iii; Dr. Thos.J. McKie, 
120. 

Medical Biography, 343. 

Moragne, W. C, 26S-271. 

Mount Calvary, 303. 

Mason, George, 65. 

Marauders, Tory, 68. 

Maryland, Settlers from, 74. 

Manly, Rev. John, 75. 

Mad Bill Abney, 97. 

Manning, 97. 

McCall, 135. 

Mays, 96. 

Martin, Judge, 175. "^^ 

Meriwether, 105, 106, iii. 

Middleton, 108, 109. 

Ministers of the Gospel, 91. 

Moble}', Dr. William, loi. 

McLidle, 135. 

Moses, Governor F. J., i6o. 

Military Government, 256. 

Murfreesborough, Tenn., 97. 

McLaurin, Evan, 62. 

N 
Newberry, 49, 52. 
New Hope Church— Battle, 224. 
New Windsor, 16. 
Ney, Marshal], 75, 76. 
Newspapers, 342. 
Ninety-Six, Settled, 6; Ninety-Six, 

Divided, 5 Ninety-Six Siege in 

1781, 67;. Whigs and Tories at 

Ninety-Six, 131. 
Nicholson, Dr., 352. 
Nixon, 108. . 
Norris Township, 156. 
Norris, 55; Rev. Norris, 72; Captain 

Norris, He,; Rev. A. P. Norris, 92, 

125. 
Norton, 12:. 
Norman — French, 13. 
Number of Companies, etc., at 

Ninety-Six, Nov. loth, 1775, 57. 
Ninety-Six, 407. 

o 

Obstructirg Water Causes, 24. 
Old Town, Saluda, 12. 70. 
Olive Bra.ich and Bold Spring, 322. 
Opening of Roads, 20. 



INDEX. 



Orangeburg, 20, 38, 53; Retreat of 
Cruger to Orangeburg, 132. 

Outzs, 113, 287-289. 
P 

Pacolet, 24. 

Pearis, Captain, 6r, 62. 

Padgett, 93. 

Pendleton, 100. 

Parksville, 113. 

Peterson, Rev. Wm., 114; Rev. Pe- 
terson, 125; Captain W. S. Peter- 
son, 224. 

Perrys, &c., 18. 

Peurifoy, D. B., 94; Rev. T. D. Peu- 
rifoy, 198; Mrs. Peurifoy, 1 98. 

Phenomenon, a Remarkable, 86. 

Pickens, 143; Andrew Pickens, 23, 

65- 
Pleasant Lane, 321. 
Pope, Barnaby, 19; Jacob Pope, 53; 

Solomon Pope, 66; Thos. H. 

Pope, 1S7; Story of George and 

Sampson Pope, 48, 49. 
Poverty- Hill, iir, 112. 
Penn's Drugstore, 374. 
Pine House, 4^5. 
Pattison, Dr. T. H., 356. 
Presentation of Sword, 514. 
Philippi, 310. 
Prevost, 66. 

Puukin Vine Creek, battle of, 224. 
Pugh, 93. 

Pulaski Legion, 35. 
Pviry, John, no; Purj-'s Ferry, no. 
Public Roads, 20. 
Priber, Christian, 21. 
Pocotaligo, 220. 
Pickens and Williamson, 154. 
Presentation of Flag to Holcombe 

Legion, 231. 

O 
Quattlebaum, Joseph, 250. 

r< 

Raid, Cunningham, 70. 

Ranch, Rev. Michael, 72. 

Ramsay, Judge, 176. 

Red Hank, 306. 

Resident in Savannah Writes, 64. 

Ready, Dr. J. C, 80; S. L. Ready, 
89; W. J. Ready, 94. 

Remarkable Phenomenon, 86. 

Regiments, 7th and 19th, 218-219; 
22nd Regiment, List cf Officers, 
249. 

Reconstruction, 251, 254. 

Rehoboth, 113. 

Roads and Ferries after the Revolu- 
tion, 53. 

Reform Mo\-ement, 259-260. 



Richardsons, &c., 121. 

Roving Traders, 5. 

Red Oak Grove, 325. 

Rumph, General, 38. 

Ryan, Captain James, 127, 129, 38. 

Rutledge, Tho., 117. 

Richland Spring, 315. 

Red Hill, 323. 

Recollections and Reflections, 400. 

s 

Saluda Old Town, 10, 14, 36. 

Savannah Town, 19, 20. 

Schumptrt, 13. 

Second Adveutists, 329. 

Secession at Mount Willing, 87. 

Settlers, etc., 11; from Maryland, 74. 

Salem, 325. 

Scotland, 12. 

Seysin, 40. 

Seige of Ninety-Six, 67. 

Simpson, Rev. W. H., 125. 

Smith, Jacob, 95, 96; Smallwood 

Smith, 69. 
Stevens' Creek, 97, 104, 105. 
Stewart Settlement, 16, 69. 
Story of George and Sampson Pope, 

48. 
Scott Family — vScott's Ferry, 386, 

392. 
Shaw, Colonel T. P., 384. 
Sheppard Family, 398. 
Secession, 20S; Secession Ordinance, 

215- 

Seminole War, 197. 

Salvador, Francis, 150. 

vSardis, 309. 

Seventh Regiment— Some History, 

227—233 
Simkins, Eldred, etc., iSS; John C. 

Simkius, 190. 
Skipper's Georgia, 114. 
Smerdon, 119. 

Smiley, 122; Colonel Smilej-, 263. 
Soldier's Relief Association, 253. 
vStallsworth, 163, 164. 
St. James, 303. 
St. Marks, 302. 
Story of Hamburg, 241-243. 
Something Unique, 337. 
Sheppard, Dr. W. Scott, 358. 
Saluda County, 519. 
Scott, Governor 1865, 257. 

T 

Taylor, Colonel, 128. 

Talbert, W. J., 113. 

That Yellow Jacket Company, 82. 

Taxes, Light, 55. 

Teunant, 130. 

Tillman Family, 203; G. D. Till- 



INDEX. 



I 



man, 203, 204; B. R. Tillman, 206. 
Tory Marauders, 68. 
Tompkins, 122, 265. 
Tombs, 14. 
Townslaips, etc., 55. 
Travis, Colonel W. B.. 165; M. B. 

Travis, 168; Travis, 76, 77, 162. 
Trotters, etc., 18. 
Trinity, 303. 
Trouble in Hamburg, 261. 

u 

Under the Oaks at Lanham's, 369. 
Universalists, 329. 

V 

Virginia, 13, 15, 30, 36, 99. 

w 

Wardlaw, F. H., 244. 

Walker, \Vm., 250. 

Watson, Michael, 37, 38, 67, 68, 78, 

79. 93. 146-150. 
Washington's Journey, 51, 73. 
Waters, 53; Philemon Waters, 89; 

Captain P. B. Waters, 89; Waters 



Family, 374. 
War of 1812, 197. 
Watts, P. B., 282-286. 
Ware, Captain Robert, 109. 
Westside, 102. 
Weems, 73. 

West, 53; Captain A. P. West, 89. 
Wever, John R., 75. 
Wilkinson, General, 42, 43. 
Williamson, Andrew, 13, 58, 59, 60, 

65, 131, 134, 135. 
Wilson, Russell, 95. 
Woodlawn, iii, 112. 
Werts Family, 394. 

X 

Xarmentor, Isaac, 119. 

Y 
Youngblood, Matilda, 98. 
Young Men's Christian Association, 

329- 
York County, 26. 
Yarbrough, Dr. Geo., 360; Dr. B. T. 

Yarbrough, 361. 



^ s 

c 
> 



o ^ 



I 

(. 



'/>. 






> 







0^ '^m^'^ ^<=>^ 

r «i^ V «> AW V?-AV/7A ° .>.,c> 



^^'\ 



^^^^ 



- . -- --■ ^,.-- . ^^■ 



O N O . <? 



^Ao^ 





















. " c ^ ■<$> 




-^l-^^'"^' 



■.••^^^ ^^ %^ 



>^ „ V • o. 












N\\\h«%,J- •7'. ^- ^ 



"^li- ,-nV 



\u r^ 



,0^ 
















- > -row: - -^"^ <?S 



. . o « o ^ <5>^ 



"^0 
A, O 



> 










■'^^%^- 






DSC 59 



ft(». N MANCHESTER. 
'^sS^^' INDIANA 






o t 



